Fans of the Great British Bake Off should expect a "tight" and "fascinating" final tonight according to one of the show's judges, Paul Hollywood.

The celebrity chef said it will be close between Richard Burr, Nancy Birtwhistle and Luis Troyano who each bring a different thing to baking: "Richard’s the precision baker, his consistency has always been right whether he’s been making a sponge, bread, pie, pudding, it doesn't matter he always gets it right.

"Although he has been in the danger zone on one particular week, he went from hero to almost villain and he almost left. He’s had it up and down, but five times star baker, we’ve never had that before."

"Luis is a great creator, great innovator, very very artistic, his decoration is awesome but his bakes are very, very good as well. He’s always been so close to star baker so many times. He’s been up there but he’s never been in that position where he's in the danger zone, which is rare.

"Nancy is the home-baker, very very consistent, awesomely consistent, her flavours are gorgeous, her bakes are homely, well-baked, almost to professional level."

Richard is the firm favourite to win tonight but Paul said that everyone starts the final with a clean slate. His highlights of this year's competition include the bakers' show stoppers.

He said: "I did like Richard’s eclairs, and his mini pastries, they were gorgeous. Some of Kate’s pies, when she did those three tier pies with the different flavours in were stunning too."

But a little tip for anyone thinking about taking part next year, add lime - "Anything with lime in it, you’ve got me," said Paul, "make it with lime in it, it’s always a winner, I love lime."

"We’ve given star baker before on one dish, in fact Ryan’s Key Lime Pie a couple of years ago just did it for me, he was on his way out that particular week, but he made a Key Lime Pie and not only did he win for us the best bake but he won star baker and stayed so it shows you one bake can make all the difference."

Paul was in Medway today opening the fourth Henry Surtees Challenge at Buckmore Park where more than 30 young drivers competed in the charity competition organised by John Surtees and the Henry Surtees Foundation.

Paul used to kart himself and said: “I think what the Henry Surtees Foundation do is phenomenal, it’s such a worthwhile charity that I had to come really.

“I’ve been introduced to a few of the lads and they are champions in their own right, the weather today is absolutely atrocious and they’re going to get absolutely soaked but these lads are flying round here in these conditions, it’s awesome to watch.”

Former motor racing champion John Surtees set up the foundation after his son Henry died in an accident in 2009. It helps young people with accidental brain and physical injuries with education and training in technology, engineering and fitness.