LAST night’s return of the Great British Bake Off introduced an Irish hopeful who is already proving popular with the viewing public.
Despite failing to win the title of star baker in the first installment of the fifth series of the popular BBC cookery show, Iain Watters, a Belfast-born construction worker, has the ‘best beard in baking’ according to twitter fans.
As the show got underway the 12-strong tent of nervous contestants were tasked with producing a non-soggy swiss roll for judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.
Despite Iain’s brave attempt at a basil and apricot version going down like a lead balloon, social media fans were more interested in the size of his beard and the hipster’s perfectly turned out attire.
Twitter user @Calenmiriel said: "Iain needs to win purely based on that beard."
Growing up just outside of Belfast, Iain, who has a twin, claims he holds a passion for organic foods, inherited from his parents, which he likes to incorporate into his style of baking.
Although a keen traveller, the 31-year-old has recently settled in London, where he manages construction sites but also brings an array of baked goods into work for his colleagues.
With one contestant already booted out of the culinary competition, let’s hope Iain's popularity – and his beard – continues to grow.
