Great British Bake Off finalist, Sophie Faldo, is being investigated for benefit fraud after claiming a single person’s allowance, despite living with her boyfriend.
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A report in The Sun says that 33-year-old Sophie was rumbled after an investigator saw her living situation on the show’s official website – where she says she lives with her boyfriend, David Slattery.
According to the paper, claimants can receive more money if they are a single person than if they are in a couple – particularly if their partner works.
The paper also states that Sophie and David lived together in a house share before setting up home together in a two-bedroom flat in Surrey.
A source told the tabloid: “She is being investigated for benefit fraud. She has been saying her partner doesn’t live with her – but he does. They have been caught out.”
Sophie – who is a former army officer – describes her occupation as ‘training to be a stunt woman’.
She’s one of the final three in tomorrow night’s final – alongside Kate Lyon and Steven Carter-Bailey. Sophie was last week’s Star Baker after impressing judges with her skills.
At the time of the show being filmed, Sophie was in her house share. In the first episode she told judges about a cake she had baked for one of her housemates.
Another source is reported as saying: “She was unemployed and said she was applying for some sort of rent support.
“It was a house share with three other girls and she moved her fella in with her when she wasn’t authorised to. It was one of the reasons that she moved.”
Sophie confirmed that she’d left the house share in a recent magazine interview. She said: “I have recently moved and the new kitchen is small but modern.”
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The Great British Bake Off website states: “Sophie grew up in Suffolk and now lives in Surrey with her boyfriend David and cat Loki.”
It’s believed David works as a chef in London.
Sophie has refused to comment on the claims.