The Moulin Rouge-inspired cake which secured victory in this year's Great British Bake Off for Hull's Nancy Birtwhistle may never have been created had it not been for a visit to her hairdresser.
Her windmill-shaped piece montee impressed the BBC One show's judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, leading to her victory on Wednesday.
The 60-year-old, who now lives in Barton, told the Sunday Times she broke down days before the final after the show's food technicians rejected her original submission for a garden-themed showstopper.
She said it was not until an appointment with her hairdresser Charlie Taylor that her inspiration returned.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Nancy said: "I was close to tears and told her my head was in a mess, but then we started bouncing ideas around.
"I thought of doing a helter-skelter first and then came up with the idea of a windmill."
They discussed an Amsterdam theme with a mouse and clogs, but then Charlie mentioned the Moulin Rouge.
Nancy said: "She was the facilitator. She helped me get my head moving as it was in a very sticky place at that point.
"Charlie is very arty and creative herself. She is a great mate."
Nancy's victory was watched by more than 13m people - a bigger audience than the World Cup Final.
