Bake Off fans are NOT happy about Benjamina leaving

Last night’s episode of The Great British Bake Off was pretty intense, with the final five bakers struggling with complex marzipan showstoppers in a bid to impress the judges in a closely-fought quarter-final.

And of course in the end one contestant had to leave – and it was teaching assistant Benjamina Ebuehi who got the appropriately Tudor-themed chop.

“I knew it but yeah,” Benjamina told the cameras, failing to hold back tears. “To get this far is an achievement so yeah… I’m really proud.”

Less graceful about her loss, however, were viewers on Twitter, who reacted with devastation at Benjamina’s departure from the series. According to stats from Twitter analytics tool Visibrain, she was mentioned 2,289 times during the final five minutes of the episode, with some of the most popular words used including “tears”, “saddest” and “gutted”. Sad times – even for former contestant Martha Collinson.

Nooo @bakedbybenji! Simply the loveliest friend and incredible baker. Welcome to the quarter-finalist club (the best place to be ?) #GBBO pic.twitter.com/wl6mbszPJA

— Martha Collison (@marthacollison) October 12, 2016

Don't cry for me, Benjamina. #gbbo

— Steven Perkins (@stevenperkins) October 12, 2016

So sad that Benjamina went out, i wanted my girl to win ?. But well done girl, you did great. #GBBO

— WomanOfWorth (@Rumbizlee) October 13, 2016

Benjamina shouldn’t have gone last night ??? #gbbo #bakeoff

— James (@atemyheart) October 13, 2016

In particular fans were distraught at seeing her part from fellow contestant Selasi, who had become a close friend to Benjamina during the competition and had inspired many fans to insist the pair would make a perfect couple. Suffice it to say, the #Benjalasi hashtag got one hell of a workout last night…

MY HEART JUST BROKE FOR BENJAMINA AND SELASI I WANT THEM TO GET MARRIED??? #GBBO #Benjalasi

— ⓚaⓣiⓔ (@katie23louise) October 12, 2016

Also, is anyone else devastated about the departure of Benjamina from #GBBO?! I don't think I'll recover from the her and Selasi breakup?! ?

— Vicky Pattison (@VickyPattison) October 12, 2016

No more Selasi and Benjamina, this is devastating ? #GBBO

— Glen Griffiths ✌️ (@TheGlenderman) October 12, 2016

It can't be the end of #Benjalasi ? #GBBO

— Amy Grinstead (@sliceofsunny) October 12, 2016

Forget Brad and Angelina, this is the saddest breakup of 2016 #GBBO pic.twitter.com/gRfOlA0KWk

— Mary Mc Intyre (@Mc1988) October 12, 2016

When Selasi said 'Benjamina's like a sister to me' Dreams were shattered. #BenjaLasi #BenjaLasiNoMore #GBBO

— Liam Machin (@liammachin) October 13, 2016

When Benjamina departs but Selasi survives… #GBBO pic.twitter.com/jBFLDWbkif

— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) October 12, 2016

Or as Selasi put it himself…

Sister from another country,keep on baking missy.U're a good egg and an awesomely talented baker.Learned a few tricks from u.God Bless #GBBO pic.twitter.com/MrK14fX7vV

— Selasi Gbormittah (@selasigb) October 13, 2016

Still, there’s one ray of light – Benjamina herself seems to have come out from the experience smiling after all, expressing her thanks to her fans after the episode aired.

No more tears! So so proud to have finished as a quarter finalist! ?? V excited for what's to come! #GBBO #blessed Thank you all!! ?❤️

— Benjamina (@bakedbybenji) October 12, 2016

Anyway, we should probably save our tears – there’s still one more elimination before the final, and based on this week Selasi might not be out of the woods yet.

When you realise #Selasi is still in #GBBO ?? pic.twitter.com/S72xK88AiZ

— Heather. (@iamHevs) October 12, 2016

The Great British Bake Off continues on BBC1 next Wednesday at 8:00pm