Leighton became the second contestant eliminated from this series of The Great British Bake Off after an all-biscuit episode that also produced the show's first Paul Hollywood handshake of the year. Tom was named Star Baker after judges assessed three biscuit-based challenges on Tuesday's instalment.

Bakers tackled a slice-and-bake signature, a chocolate Hobnob technical and an elaborate biscuit showstopper. Leighton’s piano-shaped biscuit showpiece failed to convince the judges and he was sent home in an emotional moment in the tent after host Noel Fielding announced his exit. Paul Hollywood gave his first handshake of the series to Tom for a bake the judges judged to be outstanding.

Speaking after his departure, Leighton said he had "had the most fun on Bake Off" and called the experience "so far outside my comfort zone." He said he felt "really sad" when Fielding told him he was leaving and that, in the moment, "it felt like I'd let myself down." He said he was proud simply to have made it into the tent and that the support of his fellow bakers — "hugs, kind words, and so much support" — had made the experience special.

Leighton highlighted two contrasting moments from his time on the show. He said his best moment was when Hollywood praised his orange slice-and-bake biscuit, calling the nod from the judge "completely surprising and absolutely thrilled." His worst moment, he added, was the chocolate Hobnob technical, which he described bluntly as "a disaster." He also admitted that some of his showstopper decoration "looked more like concrete paving slabs than delicate decoration. I knew it wasn’t my finest hour."

Judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, together with hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, continued to press contestants to balance speed and precision in the tent as the series moves through weekly themes. Leighton said he had been looking forward to future rounds such as pastry and bread weeks but would not get the chance to demonstrate those skills.

The elimination followed last week's exit of Hassan, who left after a round that included Swiss rolls, fondant fancies and an illusion cake. Natalia won Star Baker in that episode. Hassan said his time on the show had been brief but positive, praising his co-stars as "phenomenal bakers" and saying he hoped to return to baking when he could.

The episode also drew a mixed response from viewers because of its opening sketch. The programme began with a Jurassic Park-themed comedy sequence in which the presenters entered a spoof "Jurassic Bake" set and a dinosaur ultimately ate Fielding. Several viewers took to X, formerly Twitter, to criticise the sequence, calling it "cringe," "pathetic" and "excruciatingly cringe," while others expressed excitement that the series had returned despite reservations about the intro.

Producers will move the competition forward with new technical and showstopper challenges in the coming weeks as remaining contestants aim to demonstrate the range of skills that can carry them through to later rounds. For Leighton, the series ended with gratitude for the experience and the new friendships he said he had made in the tent.