A SCHOOL pupil from Helensburgh surprised his friends and family with an appearance on national television last night.
Oliver Scullion, 10, featured in BBC One’s The Queen’s Jubilee Pudding: 70 Years In The Baking after reaching the contest’s top 50.
Despite not making it to the final five, the show’s producers had enjoyed speaking with Oliver in the interview process so much that they invited him to London to take part in filming.
Oliver decided to hold off on telling his friends about his involvement in the programme, opting to give them a surprise on the night instead.
Justine said: “He’s massively taken it in his stride. He’s obviously been so excited and beside himself with happiness.
“He’s really proud of himself as well. What’s impressed me the most is that he’s been able to keep it a secret from his friends for so long.
READ MORE: Helensburgh amateur baker Susan wows judges in BBC's 'jubilee pudding' show
“He had to pretend that he was at the dentist a few times when he had to leave school.”
The Rhu Primary pupil asked mum, Justine, if he could enter after finding out about the competition at school.
His entry was inspired by the late Prince Philip’s love for Crepe Islandaise – a dish he first discovered on a trip to Iceland.
As part of his trip to London, Oliver had the chance to present his cake to judges Monica Galetti and Dame Mary Berry, who described it as "beautiful" and "delicious".
He told the pair he would like to bake profesionally in the future, and perhaps even serve as the Queen's head chef.
Justine added: “He came home and said to me that he’d really like to enter, and I said okay - not for a second thinking that he would get in.
“He did a bit of research into the Queen and the kind of things she liked.
“He found out that Prince Phillip had liked a certain type of crepes filled with cream and jam, so he thought that would be a nice way to have Prince Philip at the Jubilee.”
Helensburgh was well represented on the show, with Oliver being joined by finalist Susan Gardner who impressed the judges with her 'four nations pudding'.
Read more about Oliver's success in the next print edition of the Advertiser, on sale from Thursday, May 19.
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