Coleraine's Junior Bake Off star Lyla releases recipe booklet in aid of Arthritis UK

13-year-old Lyla charmed viewers around the Causeway Coast and further afield during her JBO journey with her incredible skills but even more so, with her bubbly personality and kindness to her fellow contestants.

Having baked her way through cake day, biscuit day (when she was crowned Star Baker) and bread day, Lyla left the contest on dessert day.

Admitting she was “very disappointed” to have gone out of the competition when she was so close to the finals, Lyla said her experience on JBO had been “amazing” with the highlight “meeting Harry Hill”.

“The minute I met Harry Hill I knew we would have fun together,” she said.

"Harry and I are a dream team, we had some laughs! It was such fun as he was so funny and such a cool guy to be around.”

And, young Lyla has been busy since her TV appearances as she has written and published her own recipe booklet ‘Flavours of Imagination’ featuring her own Showstopper recipes and others with all proceeds going to Arthritis UK.

Lyla was disagnosed with arthritis last year.

Speaking about what she had learned from taking part in the Ch4 baking competition she said: “During my JBO experience I’ve learned to never give up especially during the hard tasks and... TO GET BACK UP AGAIN!”

She added: “‘Get back up again’ was my motto during the whole amazing Junior Bake Off experience. I was diagnosed with arthritis last year and JBO has helped me to get back up again.

"JBO has really helped me improve my skills as a baker. I have baked things I never thought I’d bake, and I’ve met such amazing people and have made friends for life. I have learnt that I can give anything a go!

"JBO has helped me to believe in myself. I am so proud to have been the only child picked from Northern Ireland and am delighted to have represented our little country. It has been a wonderful baking journey that I will never forget.”

Lyla’s recipe booklet will be available to purchase soon in local charity shops.