Here’s the Great British Bake Off’s newest bakers — From a techno DJ to a mental health specialist
A BLOOD courier, house and techno DJ, banker and a mental health specialist are just some of the contestants entering the Great British Bake Off tent next week.
Among the 12 new contestants are also a civil servant, retired air steward, banker and a research specialist who will try their best to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
The contestants come from Newport in Wales, Leeds, London, Rotherham, the West Midlands, County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, Bristol and West Yorkshire.
Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig are returning as the show’s hosts, which is the second series to be aired on Channel 4 after it left the BBC.
Last year Sophie Faldo was crowned the winner, but not before judge Prue accidentally tweeted the result before the episode aired.
Prue blamed the gaffe of declaring Sophie’s triumph too early on the time difference from where she was on holiday.
The new series will begin on August 28 at 8pm.
Below, we introduce this year’s Bakers.
Terry, 56
Retired air steward Terry, 56, from the West Midlands, who will use his background as a prosthetic technician, as well as spoils from his own microbrewery and allotment, to add edge to his bakes.
Encourage to apply for the show by his daughters, he said: “I wanted to change life a little, shake it up a bit, start a new course.
“I am on a new journey in life at the moment, and what better way to start it.”
Ruby ,29
Project manager Ruby, 29, grew up in an Indian family and remembers her mother making Indian sweets when she was a child.
The Londoner now loves to make cakes and pastries and boozy treats for her friends and family.
Rahul, 30
Rahul was born in India and moved to the UK on a university scholarship when he was was 23.
The 30-year-old now lives in Rotherham.
Once in the UK, he discovered new flavours and cuisines that have inspired his East-meets-West style of baking.
He said: “I think pretty much everybody I know will be surprised.
“They know I bake, but not to the scale that I could enter the tent.”
Manon, 26
Her French upbringing has inspired software project manager Manon, 26, who found her passion for baking when she came to London.
She now takes inspiration from her French heritage and her discoveries in London, as well as her travels around the world and said she is going into the tent for her friends.
Asked about her inspiration, she said: “When me and my best friend came to England, Bake Off was one of the first shows we watched together on TV.
“So I think my best friend and flatmate, and my closest girlfriends that have always rooted for me and supported me throughout my baking journey.”
Karen, 60
Karen, 60, from West Yorkshire, passion for baking stemmed from the 15 years she owned a house in France with her husband.
She said: “My daughters encouraged me to do it, and I was approaching 60 and I found it really liberating to do something like this.
“As you get older you feel less inhibited, and think ‘Does it matter if you make a fool of yourself?’
“I have always wanted to be even more flamboyant and free, I really wanted to do this for me and I thought it was the right time to step up and take on some challenges and have some fun.”
Kim-Joy, 27
Mental health specialist, Kim-Joy, 27, was born in Belgium to an English father and Malaysian-Chinese mother, grew up in London and now lives in Leeds, and says her mixed-heritage background is reflected in her open attitude to all styles of baking.
She said: “None of my family really bake, it’s just me that bakes.
“My friends have always wanted me to apply, but I didn’t feel confident enough to apply until this year. I went into the tent mostly for myself to see if I could do it!”
Luke, 30
Luke, 30, from Sheffield who works as both a civil servant and a house and techno DJ and has been baking since he was 10.
He admits he only started watching Bake Off two years ago.
Jon, 47
Blood courier Jon, 47, has said he loves to bake after a hard day at work and aims to make impressive creations and experiment with different techniques.
The contestant, from Newport in Wales, is a father of four and said: “I bake as often as I can, several times a week, mainly in the day while my wife and children are at school as I get some peace that way!
“The tent is far easier than my kitchen, at home I have the kids running around, after school clubs to pick up from and my wife trying to keep the kitchen clean and tidy.”
Imelda, 33
Countryside recreation officer Imelda, 33, is from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, where she learned to cook and bake from her mother.
Dan, 36
Dan, 36, from London, who is taking part on the show after raising children.
He said: “My reasons for taking part in Bake Off were entirely selfish.
“I have been at home looking after the kids for the last six years, so it was a chance to do something for myself.
Antony, 30
Banker Antony, 30, describes himself as a “Bollywood baker” after growing up in India, where he learned to bake with his father.
Now living in London, he said: “All of my friends back home in India will be really surprised.
“They have known me to be a singer in a choir, a two-piece band but never as a baker, so it will be interesting to see their reaction.”
Briony, 33
Full-time parent Briony, 33, from Bristol, learned her techniques from YouTube tutorials.
She says her nan is her inspiration.
- GOT a story? Ring The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or email exclusive@the-sun.co.uk.