Great British Bake Off winner overjoyed as he announces birth of first child-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

Great British Bake Off winner Rahul Mandal has announced the arrival of his first child (Picture: Channel 4/Instagram)

Great British Bake Off champion Rahul Mandal has shared the gorgeous news that he has become a father.

The Channel 4 star, 37, announced this weekend that on December 10, he welcomed a daughter named Debeshi into the world after his wife had a little bun in the oven of her own.

Taking to Instagram, the baker shared a sweet snap of himself cradling the newborn, who wore a Christmas pudding hat, standing proudly next to Shreya, whom he married in 2022.

Rahul, who won GBBO in 2018, wrote in his caption: ‘We are back from the hospital today. Please send your blessings to Debeshi.

‘Now, to the reality of looking after a baby, that neither of us have much experience of. But we will keep trying to do our best, as we did during the pregnancy.

‘Thousands of miles away from our family the past 9 months was a journey that brought us closer and made us stronger as a couple.

Rahul and Shreya introduced Debeshi to the world with a sweet post (Picture: Instagram)

‘Hopefully, we will be good parents, so please, any advice, suggestions, and support is welcome.’

He continued: ‘We also had tonnes of laundry to sort out. Our washing machine decided to take a break and enjoy our parenthood with us. Hopefully, it will be sorted soon.

‘Just wanted to thank the maternity team in Rotherham Hospital and the amazing team in Greenoaks for supporting us during this amazing journey.’

‘Have a great weekend from Rahul, Shreya, and Deveshi,’ he signed off.

Rahul then joked that ‘Shreya wanted to add that she was exhausted after the birth. Hence, she looked tired in the photo.’

After making his announcement, he was inundated with congratulatory messages, with fellow Bake Off stars quick to send their well wishes.

Rahul won Bake Off in 2018 (Picture: Love Productions)

Ruby Bhogal and Kim-Joy were runners-up (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions)

‘So so thrilled for you Rahul! I remember you speaking about wanting to be a dad in the tent so couldn’t be happier for you both,’ commented Ruby Bhogal, who was also a finalist in 2018.

She added: ‘Very much looking forward to meeting your little one soon – hope Shreya is doing well and my love to you all 🫶🏼🖤🧿’

‘Congratulations!!!!! 💛💛😍’, commented runner-up Kim-Joy.

Youngest-ever Bake Off winner Peter Sawkins added: ‘Congratulations you two!!!! Welcome to the world Debeshi😍’

Rahul was born and raised in Kolkata, India, and came to the UK in 2010 to study for his PhD at Loughborough University.

He returned to India when he tied the knot with Shreya, writing on social media ahead of their nuptials that they were both ‘very excited and a little nervous’.

Dame Prue Leith said Rahul is the one contestant she’ll never forget (Picture: Dave Benett)

Rahul got married in December 2022 (Picture: Instagram)

The engineering researcher also wrote after various ceremonies that Bengali weddings ‘are more than just a wedding, it is the celebration of the union between the bride and groom, and their families as well as friends.’

He added: ‘It is the dream of not only the bride and groom, it is the dream of our parents, families and friends, a #celebration of #positivity, #love, #kindness.’

Rahul is one of Bake Off’s most memorable contestants, not only for viewers but for the judges too.

Dame Prue Leith previously told People: ‘I think as long as I live, I’ll never forget Rahul.’

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