Strictly star defends decision to join OnlyFans after quitting daytime TV & jobs ‘ran dry’
STRICTLY finalist John Whaite has revealed he's back on OnlyFans after his TV work dried up.
The talented baker and dancer defended his decision to re-join the subscription app after quitting daytime TV, saying "that river ran dry".
The Bake Off legend, 35, is back stripping off and making explicit content, sharing a glimpse of the action on Instagram.
Announcing his return to OnlyFans, John, from Chorley, said he needed cash to "put food on the table" and he's providing a "service" that brings a "bit of cheeky joy".
He said: "I’ve had a lot of DMs about why I’ve re-joined OnlyFans, when I regretted it last time.
"Firstly, I think it’s important to remember that who we are, or at least little parts of us, can change. I for one don’t want to live my life stuck in a steadfast template that restricts my next move.
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"Secondly, I enjoy performance. I enjoy being a show off. I enjoy building my body and celebrating the results.
"That’s not for everyone, and that’s ok - if you don’t like meat just walk on by the butcher’s shop."
The star, who won The Great British Bake Off in 2012 and now bakes for a living through his company Ruff Ruff Brownies, continued: "Last time being on OF didn’t gel with my role on daytime television.
"But I quit the TV industry 18 months ago and haven’t looked back.
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"I had an incredible 12-year-long career and achieved some extraordinary milestones that I’ll proudly take with me to the grave.
"I loved it (mostly) while it lasted, and made some wonderful friendships which I’ll cherish, but that river, for me, had run dry. It didn’t set me alight anymore.
"Since launching @ruffpuffbrownies and seeing how successful an enterprise can be with nurture and care, I’ve learned about business - creativity, marketing, overheads, margins - all sorts of things that were once alien to me.
"I’m treating my OF career as precisely that - business.
"It cycles money into the economy, it puts food on my table, it gives some people a little bit of cheeky joy - it’s a service."
He ended his post by asking disapproving fans to unfollow him.
John said: "If it’s not for you, simply pass it by, and know that I’ll always be using this platform for food, humour, and little glimpses into my life.
"We’ll all be dead, buried and long forgotten one day, so I’m grabbing the bull by the horns and living this one shot at life to the fullest.
"And if you want to judge, go ahead, I won’t stop you. Our worlds may be slightly different but neither of us have fallen off them…yet."
His honest post sparked a flurry of supportive messages from the TV world.
Comedian Ellie Taylor said: "Big fan of both your brownies and your buns x."
Fellow Strictly contestant Michelle Visage said: "You do you baby."
Back in 2022 John first set up his account after getting drunk on holiday.
He later admitted he made the decision because the high of Strictly had come crashing down and he was struggling to find work.
The star initially made a lot of money but feared he would lose work on daytime TV.
He told Attitude at the time: “The more I was on it, the more money I was making, the more I was willing to give more. I had to be in control of that behaviour and say, ‘Nope, stop this now, before it goes too far’.”
John added: “I regret it deeply.”
Finding fame
John won The Bake Off in 2012, aged 23, while studying law at University.
He went on to train at the prestigious Cordon Bleu restaurant and took on various TV roles on Lorraine, Chopping Block and Steph's Packed Lunch.
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Lockdown during the Covid pandemic allowed him to train and beef up, and he was then chosen to take part in Strictly Come Dancing.
He reached the final two in 2021 but lost out to EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis.
