Now, exactly one year ago I got a phone call. "Hi Howard, we've received your application for The Great British Bake Off..."

And so began the craziest, most exhilarating, most wonderful year I've ever known. A year in which the extraordinary became ordinary and the impossible was possible. Looking again at the calendar for 2013, every month brought something new. Auditions, baking, screen tests, baking, filming, baking... Actually, you're right, there was quite a lot of baking. But even in the 'lull' of July, before transmission (that's TX for those in the business, sweetie) we still had the mutual support of our fabulous baking family. It was the experience of a lifetime and I'd do it all again without hesitation.

So, dear fresh-faced 2014, I'm just saying that if there's any chance of serving up a year remotely like your predecessor, well I could definitely manage a second cup...