SHE unwittingly became a controversial figure in last year’s Great British Bake Off after the infamous “bingate” incident which led to a fellow contestant’s frozen dessert being momentarily left out of the freezer.

But Diana Beard has bounced back and says the programme has brought her many new opportunities.

The former contestant of the hit show took her extensive knowledge as a Women’s Institute baker to launch a Help for Heroes Bake for Heroes event at Phoenix House recovery centre, Catterick Garrison, today (Thursday, March 26) to give a group of veterans top tips in creating a show-stopper.

Ms Beard, 70, said she was delighted to be able to visit schools, charities and organisations around the country to offer her advice – although she still has no sense of taste or smell following a fall during filming of last year’s GBBO.

It is the second year Phoenix House has held the Bake for Heroes competition, and said it is another way of getting veterans to engage in a therapeutic activity.

Andrea Marston, who organised the event, said: “We are really pleased that Diana could join us. She will be demonstrating the baking and decorating techniques and helping veterans with their efforts.

“We have a couple of ladies from the WI to do the taste testing but Diana will judge on appearance and technique.”

Ms Beard said she has mixed feelings about her time on GBBO after Twitter trolls sent her a torrent of abuse following the incident on last year’s show involving Iain Watters’ baked Alaska which had been taken out of the freezer prematurely – and ended in him throwing his attempt in the bin.

She added: “But thanks to the show I am travelling all over the country, doing demonstrations which I really enjoy.

“Visiting schools is especially rewarding because the youngsters are so enthusiastic – and I’m so pleased to visit Phoenix House and help launch Bake for Heroes. It is a wonderful charity.”

Bake for Heroes winner Anna Pollock, 33, from Middlesbrough but living in Catterick Garrison, is a RAF veteran who suffered a rare bleed to her spine which has left her needing a wheelchair.

She said: “I left the RAF to have children, but nearly two years ago I suffered the spinal bleed while in bed – it’s normally triggered by a serious trauma so it is rare.

“I was suffering the pain, but since coming to Phoenix House last September I have got my spark back – I’m getting involved with lots of challenges.

“The Bake Off has been brilliant - I was so shocked but so happy to win because everyone’s cakes were fantastic.”