The Great British Bake Off finalist Nadiya Jamir Hussain, who lives in Leeds, has said she cannot hide her facial expressions because the show is such an emotional experience.

The amateur baker, who is one of three finalists in Wednesday's show, has become known for her varied facial expressions as viewers have seen her switch between delight, despair, shock, terror and satisfaction.

She said: "Being on the show was quite an emotional experience. It is after all just cake and biscuits, but when you have put so much effort into it, you do feel either very sad or very elated.

"My face is a give-away as I can't hide my facial expressions, and I did say to myself that if I am going to cry I won't go and hide. After all, there is no shame in making a mistake."

The 30-year-old's facial expressions have been a highlight among Bake Off fans, even inspiring a tumblr called The Many Faces Of Nadiya Appreciation Blog.

Hussain last cried during the semi-final, when she came last in the technical challenge. Through tears, she told the camera: "I know I'm going to go home. I'm going to do the best showstopper I can, but I don't think I'm going to - I don't think it's going to be -" before becoming overwhelmed with emotion.

The stay-at-home mother admitted to a lack of confidence before she went on the show, with her husband and sister-in-law persuading her to apply.

"My family are constantly telling me that they are very proud of me, and that really helps me through," she said.

"My dad has loved the series and he goes up and down the street each Wednesday making sure everyone is going to watch it. He did run a restaurant for years so he knows what he is talking about, and I value his comments each week - although I have never asked him for advice because I wanted to do it my way and in my own style."

Fellow finalist Tamal Ray, 28, revealed he was "nervous" before meeting the other contestants in case they were unfriendly.

"I was a bit nervous about how all the bakers would get on before I started the show - but there has been a great feeling of community as we have so much in common," he said.

"The whole thing was just amazing, and every week I would be stressed out from combining work with tinkering with recipes at home. But as soon as I got on the train to Bake Off, I would look forward to seeing the other bakers."

The medic, who is a senior house officer in intensive care at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester and is currently training to be an anaesthetist, said he'd been inundated with baking requests from co-workers.

"All the team at the hospital have been very excited about the show and keep asking me to bring in bakes, but I have been full on with revision for exams since the show started," he said.

"I will now make amends and take in some bakes, as they have been asking for Black Forest Gateaux - I won't be taking in any of the ornate Showstoppers."

Ray was a big Bake Off fan before he applied.

"I really wanted to give it a go primarily because I am just a big fan of the show - and when I walked into the tent for the first time it felt quite surreal," he explained.

"During the actual challenges you don't get a moment to realise where you are."

Looking back on his Bake Off experience, he recalled a "lovely moment" with presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, when the contestants were "sitting outside the tent in the sunshine with Mel and Sue making daisy chains" - adding: "It doesn't really get better than that."

Ian Cumming, 42, said he was "shocked" to be in the final - but called it "a fantastic personal achievement", adding: "I never at any point considered myself as one of Britain's best bakers. In the first episode I looked around at everyone else's Black Forest Gateaux and felt out of my depth."

The travel photographer said: "It's a huge thrill to get to the final and it proves that life is never normal. I am really intrigued to see how it pans out.

"This summer I have spent an amount of time on social media and buying Heat magazine - two things I didn't think I would ever do in my life!"

He revealed he'd been known inside the Bake Off tent as Gadget Man - for having made props and tools including a camera tripod, cylinders to shape biscuit boxes and ice-cream, a bird-shaped pie mould, and a stand for his cream horns.

Cumming's Bake Off journey began last year, when his wife said she wanted to attend the tea party which takes place after the final. At the party, all the contestants from throughout the series return with their families to sample the finalists' bakes.

"My wife is basking in my reflected glory, and has been enjoying every minute of it," he said.

::The Great British Bake Off final airs on Wednesday October 7 at 8pm on BBC One.