‘We had a rubbish Christmas’: GBBO’s Laura Adlington reveals she contracted Covid over the festive period and couldn’t taste her dinner as she spent the day away from her family
Great British Bake Off finalist Laura Adlington revealed she contracted Covid-19 in December during a conversation on the breakfast programme, Lorraine, on Monday.
The baking aficionado, 31, discussed how the coronavirus pandemic scuppered her Christmas plans with her family and how she couldn’t even taste her festive meal.
When asked by host Lorraine Kelly, 61, if she was suffering from any after-effects of the virus, she detailed her experience from her home in Kent.
Oh no! GBBO finalist Laura Adlington revealed she contracted coronavirus in December on the ITV programme Lorraine on Monday and detailed how it scuppered her Christmas plans
Laura said: ‘No [there’s no after-effects]. Me and my husband, we got it just before Christmas.
‘Yeah, we had a rubbish Christmas day missing family and not being able to taste our dinner, but we’re feeling much better now thank you, I think we were quite lucky.’
During her chat on the ITV morning show, Laura confirmed she is still good friends with contestants from the 2020 series of Great British Bake Off, which she starred on.
She added: ‘Yes absolutely, we are all really close, we catch up on our Whatsapp group, they’re a lovely group of people.’
Not impressed: The baking aficionado, 31, said she had a ‘rubbish’ day as she couldn’t even taste her Christmas meal and missed spending time with her family
Despite impressing hosts Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith with her delicious creations on the cooking competition, Laura was still the victim of online trolling.
‘It was tough, it was hard. It was a tough few days,’ she said to Lorraine while stating she wasn’t going to let the online negativity ‘tarnish her experience.’
According to Laura, she received a much-needed confidence boost when Game Of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke reached out to offer words of support.
The British actress, 34, reportedly said she ‘loved’ Laura the ‘baking queen,’ and told her not to let the disparaging comments get her down.
Recovery: Laura said on the show: ‘Me and my husband (pictured in 2020), we got it just before Christmas…but we’re feeling much better now thank you, I think we were quite lucky’
The baking star admitted she cried ‘happy tears’ after receiving the lovely message.
Laura also revealed she almost didn’t participate in Great British Bake Off after suffering from anxiety.
She added: ‘Yes, it did cross my mind, I was worried about online trolling and I was thinking, “god, I don’t really like going on reality TV” but I love Bake Off. I used to watch it and sometimes it’s about feeling the fear and doing it anyway.’
‘Feeling the fear and doing it anyway’: Laura revealed she was the victim of online trolling and almost didn’t participate in The Great British Bake Off due to her battle with anxiety
Staying strong: However she received a much-needed confidence boost when Game Of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke (pictured) reached out to offer words of support
The Bake Off contestant revealed her anxiety struggles inspired her to become a volunteer for Samaritans, the UK charity which aims to provide emotional support to those in need.
She said of her volunteer work: ‘It”s something I’m passionate about. Having struggled with my mental health, I was 24 when I got help with anxiety and I wanted to help others. Strangely I really enjoy it, it’s a humbling experience.’
Laura made it to the GBBO final alongside Dave Friday and Peter Sawkins who was crowned the winner of the 2020 series.
Pipped to the post: Laura made it to the GBBO final alongside Dave Friday and Peter Sawkins who was crowned the winner of the 2020 series