GREAT British Bake Off star John Mincher was fired by Lloyds bank after a fraud investigation led to him being accused of stealing thousands of pounds. The TV wannabe — named star baker in the new series’ first episode last week — was marched out over claims he misused a system intended to pay compensation to customers. Ex-colleagues of the 37-year-old — now an NHS co-ordinator — were stunned to see him on the Channel 4 show.
One said: “This was about seven years ago but I could not believe it when I saw him on Bake Off. I almost spat out my tea. Loads of people remember what happened.
“When he was sacked, it happened in a very dramatic fashion. “They hauled him into an office. He was accused of going into a system used to pay compensation to customers.
“The bosses accused him of stealing thousands. He was marched out of the office immediately. “John was a manager and was popular.
A lot of people were shocked and upset he was sacked.” Mincher headed a complaints unit at Lloyds HQ in Pendeford, Wolverhampton, near his home. TV insiders said it did not come up in pre-show checks as police were not involved.
And they said he could not now be edited out of the pre-recorded show. They said: “Show bosses will not be happy.” The margarita-loving contestant wept with joy when show judge Paul Hollywood shook his hand and crowned him star baker on last Tuesday’s show.
Speaking later, he said: “I don’t want to cry, but I’m so proud of myself and they ar.