THERE was a homespun ingredient in the cakes whipped up by The Great British Bake Off finalist Ian Cumming – honey from his father in Petersfield.

Greg Cumming is swarm co-ordinator for the Petersfield and District Beekeepers’ Association and he supplied some of the sweet stuff from his hives for his son’s wow factor bakes in the BBC show.

One honey-laden offering in the “sugar free week” didn’t go quite to plan though. Judge Paul Hollywood didn’t rate Ian’s honey, pear and ginger cake. “That was the start of my downfall,” laughed Ian.

After being voted star baker three times before that, Ian was tipped as an early favourite.

And it was a nail-biting moment for Greg, and Ian’s mum, Jenny, who live on The Causeway, when the winner was announced as the family was gathered at the finalists’ tea party on set.

He lost out to Nadiya Hussain, but, said Greg:?“It was amazing how he did. We were delighted every time he progressed from one episode to another. It was very entertaining for us.”

The proud parents didn’t get to chat to presenter Mary Berry at the party, but Mel and Sue, who co-present, were “delightful” they said.

Ian’s last challenge in the final – a cascading carrot cake – was sliced up by Greg and handed out at the party, also attended by Ian’s wife Eleanor and children Zoe (eight) and five-year-old George.

Greg has revealed too that his son’s kitchen prowess was not learned in the family home. “We have a photo of him icing the Christmas cake when he was about to go to university, but that’s about it,” he said.

“It all started when he got his own flat, and now he’s the main cook for his family.”

When he’s not in the kitchen, Ian (41), who lives in Cambridgeshire, loves cross country running. “I do enjoy the countryside around Petersfield,” he said.

“The flatlands of Cambridgeshire just don’t cut it. If I’m feeling particularly ambitious I?run up Butser Hill.”