Diana Beard only appeared on four episodes of The Great British Bake Off - but is one of the most memorable contestants of all time.

Not only did Bake Off thrust her into the spotlight amid the biggest scandal in the show's history, the infamous 'Bingate' saga, involving a melted Baked Alaska and a bin.

But a horrible accident during filming had life-changing consequences for Diana, who no longer has a sense of taste or smell.

Diana's time in the famous white tent will be remembered for the moment she removed fellow contestant Iain Watters' dessert from the freezer.

Back in the 2014 series, viewers watched in horror as Ian's Baked Alaska started to melt on the workbench, while Diana told him: "You've got your own freezer, haven't you?"

In a furious rage, Iain chucked his Showstopper away then walked up to the judges with the bin, so they decided he had to leave the competition.

Social media exploded after the episode aired with #JusticeForIain trending on Twitter as viewers turned on Diana, but she claimed she was "stitched up".

Diana hit the headlines when she took Iain's Baked Alaska out of the freezer

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There were claims that the footage had been edited to make her look responsible when in reality the dessert was only out of the freezer for 40 seconds, according to host Sue Perkins.

The BBC later issued a statement clarifying: "Diana removing Iain's ice cream from the freezer for less than a minute was in no way responsible for Iain's departure."

Diana, who received a horrific tirade of abuse online, said she was made a "scapegoat" by show bosses while slamming the editing.

"I'm disappointed with the way it's been portrayed," she told BBC Radio Shropshire. "I've been stitched up, haven't I?

"We were 12 amateur bakers, [there's] no prize money involved. Why would I sabotage Iain's Baked Alaska?

"This has made it look like some cutthroat competition," she continued. "I think someone's culpable for the editing, really."

Diana claimed she was made a 'scapegoat' (

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BBC/PLANET PHOTOS)

Diana's furious daughter Sarah claimed her mother had been "done up like a Christmas turkey" by the show, saying: "She has been sacrificed on the altar of ratings. To exploit an old lady is shameful."

She received the backing from judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry as well as Iain himself, who tweeted: "Guys no hard feelings now. Diana is a top lady and all us tent bakers are great pals."

Despite the pensioner facing a tide of abuse and criticism from viewers, BBC bosses said they saw no reason to apologise to Diana, who later left the show due to ill health.

A spokesman said: "She hasn't asked for one or needed one. We don't feel that she's been misrepresented."

It later transpired that Diana had been through a terrible ordeal that left her without a baker's two most important senses.

During a bonding dinner with her fellow contestants midway through the series, Diana got up from the meal and thought 'something is wrong'.

Diana only appeared in four episodes (

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PA)
Iain stood up for her (

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PA)

The next thing she remembers is waking up in the back of an ambulance - unaware that she had fainted and severed a nerve.

"I fainted - which I have never done - and bashed my head, severing my olfactory nerve," she explained.

"So I have now lost my sense of smell and most of my taste."

Diana can no longer taste or smell the delightful food she makes and only has some sensation of foods which are very salty or vinegar.

The pensioner has been told nothing can be done to repair the damage but she is grateful her injuries were not worse and now appreciates what she has still got.

Diana admitted it was a relief to finally talk about her fall "as people now know the truth" and "know I haven't wimped out" amid the Bingate drama.

Diana no longer has a sense of taste or smell

It wasn't all bad, as Diana's appearance on the show put her in great demand as a public speaker.

She also developed lifelong friendships with her fellow contestants and in 2017 she revealed they were still holding regular reunions, including a dinner in her garden.

"I think they were surprised, they didn't realise it was quite so rural here. But since Bake Off I have been asked to do lots of talks, and I have discovered lots of places in rural Shropshire which I didn't know existed," she told Shropshire Star.

"We were a good group, there was Molly who was 17, and I was 69, with everybody in between. For such an eclectic mix of people to get on like we did, and still do, is something else."

And she is still on good terms with Iain and even attended his wedding.

*The Great British Bake Off airs tonight on Channel 4 at 8pm

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