Popular Channel 4 show Come Dine With Me has been based in Cardiff this week, with five lucky locals hoping to cook up a storm, earn the most points for their hosting skills and food and win the £1000 prize money at the end of it. But just before the finishing line, one of the diners has left the competition suddenly.
During artist Ashley's pub grub and takeaway inspired extravanganza on Thursday, February 16 - during which he served a homemade crisp sandwich, curry half and half with flatbreads and pistachio cheesecake - mental health worker and singer Tracey, who cooked for the other four contestants first with a Jamaican-inspired feast, decided to leave the meal and competition after just the starter, leaving the remaining contestants in shock.
She told the VT: "I'm gutted but I'm not feeling very well so I'm going to have to leave tonight," which left Ashley feeling sad that she hadn't tried his curry.
Shocked at her sudden exit after seeming exuberant on screen, teacher Alice explained: "She came down quite poorly and had to go which is really sad and I feel like last woman standing."
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Valleys boy Nathanial added: "We all get on. I think Tracey's a lovely girl so we're going to miss her now." Viewers soon took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on this sad twist. @Stepharrnee wrote: "Oh. Bye Tracey. What a shame... #ComeDineWithMe". Others speculated whether or sudden illness was food-related or not.
Tracey was an enthusiastic character on the show and during her own dinner party her starter and main went down a treat with her fellow Come Dine With Me diners but her dessert did not quite meet expectation, and instead of cleansing and tantalising the pallette, Alice, Nathanial, Julio and Ashley likened it to toothpaste.
Nathanial, who admitted he wasn't a fan of cheesecake in the first place, said: "It was probably the nicest toothpaste I've ever had. But it was toothpaste." Read more on that here.
Come Dine With Me in Cardiff continues on Channel 4 at 5.30pm on Friday, February 17.
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