Meet famous Zack Cohen - the Leeds Channel 4 Junior Bake Off star who fans were 'gutted' to see leave

After starting baking at a young age, Zack Cohen from Oakwood in Leeds joined 15 other junior bakers in the British television baking competition.

The 14-year-old came sixth in the technical after he struggled with his Japanese deco cake, but fans were 'gutted' to see him leave as they took to Twitter to express their outrage.

One fan tweeted: "To say I’m gutted Zack left yesterday would be an understatement! #JuniorBakeOff."

And another posted on Twitter: "Only just caught up but genuinely gutted Zack didn’t make it all the way to the end, hope he knows what an amazing and talented wee guy he is and it was just purely bad luck on the day.

"Tell him to keep up the great bakes and we hope to see him on the proper Bake Off someday."

Zack was taught to bake by his mum Nikki Cohen and his grandma Leila, and his favourite Bake Off moments were when he won 'Star Baker' and 'Bread Day' following his traditional Jewish Challah bread-baking speciality.

The teen said: "I have felt a little bit of fame and I've had a lot of people message me, call me and even recognise me in the street on walks since the show.

"They've all had such lovely things to say and all said that I did well and should have stayed in the show longer.

"There's no denying that I was upset to leave and in hindsight I feel like I could have done so much more but I am so proud of how well I did and it was an amazing experience."

Zack's grandma Leila is his "biggest inspiration" and he said she absolutely loved watching him bake on the programme.

He added: "My grandma was the one who really got me into baking and I always go to her for basic cake recipes but she is now starting to retire from baking as I take over in the family.

"She has been so supportive along with all my family and friends who were really excited about seeing me on the television.

"I read everything that people write about me on social media and I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has been so kind, it really makes my day each time I read it all."

The brother-of-two said that he loved meeting the other bakers, and that they have all formed really great friendships with each other.

He added: "We instantly bonded over our shared love for baking and we've all stayed in touch.

"I really hope that when we're allowed I'll be able to see the ones who live nearer to me.

"Reece was such a deserving winner and I was so happy for him."

Since the show, which finished on Friday, Zack has been making fresh bagels every week and baking goodies for friends and families for free on request, and he is excited to see where his baking takes him.

Zack explained: "Being on the show was really fun but I'd never experienced anything like it.

"It's one thing to bake with a time limit, another thing to bake in a competition, and another thing to be filmed whilst doing so.

"You have to focus on so many things and I didn't want to come across as being nervous."

Zack's mum Nikki said she is "predominantly Zack's washer-upper at home" but she can't complain as he regularly makes meals for the whole family.

The mum-of-three added: "Bake Off was a brilliant experience for Zack and it's given him something really positive to focus on during both lockdowns.

"And it's given other people something positive too and so many people said to me through January that 5 o'clock was Zack o'clock as they sat down as a family to watch the show.

"I'm really grateful that we and everyone else have had this to brighten up what has been such a dreary time.

"All you want is to know that your kids are nice kids and the show proved him to be such a good team player and so many people have commented on how well he held himself."

Since the show, Zack has been baking for his YouTube channel and baking live on Instagram for followers to watch along.

Nikki added: "I thought my kitchen would have recovered by now but it has gone back into full baking mode.

"I can't complain though as he is learning some great life skills and will be a good housemate and friend to have at university I hope one day.

"Most importantly, he's still got his glow from the show!"

Judges Ravneet Gill and Liam Charles ultimately decided that Zack should go home in sixth place after a "really hard" challenge when he struggled with his Japanese deco cake and added too much chilli to his tarlet showstopper but fans were not impressed with the judges' decision.

One fan took to Twitter to say: "Catching up on #juniorbakeoff I am DEVOED Zack went I don’t wanna continue watching but I will."

Other users encouraged Zack to "keep baking": "Zack was great entertainment and his skills will continue. Was a pleasure to watch on the show....keep baking Zack."

"Such a shame Zack had that one bad day He’s been brilliant throughout, and my money was on him to win. Keep baking, Zack!!"

And another viewer wanted #justiceforZack: "Zack was robbed on #juniorbakeoff #justiceforzack. He was 100% my favourite to win."

--> Leeds teen to star in Channel 4's Junior Bake Off television series after beating thousands of applicants