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Great British Bake Off star John Mincher was SACKED by Lloyds after he was accused of stealing thousands of pounds
His ex-colleagues reveal how they were stunned to see him on the Channel 4 show
GREAT British Bake Off star John Mincher was fired by Lloyds bank after a fraud investigation led to him being accused of stealing thousands of pounds.
The TV wannabe — named star baker in the new series’ first episode last week — was marched out over claims he misused a system intended to pay compensation to customers.
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Ex-colleagues of the 37-year-old — now an NHS co-ordinator — were stunned to see him on the Channel 4 show.
One said: “This was about seven years ago but I could not believe it when I saw him on Bake Off. I almost spat out my tea. Loads of people remember what happened.
“When he was sacked, it happened in a very dramatic fashion.
“They hauled him into an office. He was accused of going into a system used to pay compensation to customers.
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“The bosses accused him of stealing thousands. He was marched out of the office immediately.
“John was a manager and was popular. A lot of people were shocked and upset he was sacked.”
Mincher headed a complaints unit at Lloyds HQ in Pendeford, Wolverhampton, near his home.
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TV insiders said it did not come up in pre-show checks as police were not involved.
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And they said he could not now be edited out of the pre-recorded show. They said: “Show bosses will not be happy.”
The margarita-loving contestant wept with joy when show judge Paul Hollywood shook his hand and crowned him star baker on last Tuesday’s show.
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Speaking later, he said: “I don’t want to cry, but I’m so proud of myself and they are good tears.”
Mincher, who last week joked with presenter Alison Hammond, has also posted snaps from gigs by Britney Spears and Beyoncé.
He did not respond to attempts to contact him.
A spokesperson for Lloyds Banking Group said: "We do not comment on individual colleagues.";
The show said: “Bake Off undertakes robust background checks which are a compulsory requirement for contributors to be able to participate in the programme.”
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