A paediatric doctor and a drag king are among the amateur contestants heading into the tent for the upcoming series of the Great British Bake Off.
The popular Channel 4 baking competition returned to television screens last month, with the line-up being put through their paces in a quest to be crowned 2026 champion.
The bakers are being judged by TV cook Nigella Lawson, who was announced earlier this year as a judge following Dame Prue Leith's decision to step down after nine series.
TV cook Paul Hollywood also returns to the panel, alongside Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, who reprise their roles as the show's presenters.
Who are the bakers stepping into the tent for season 17?
Clara, 24
Hailing from Aveiro in Portugal, the marketing graduate who lives in Hertfordshire began baking cakes two years ago as a creative outlet, starting off with Portuguese classics such as the Tarte de Nata.
She loves creating colourful designs that balance fresh and fruity flavours in a baking style she would describe as “messy, creative and mindful”.
Connie, 63
Known as ‘the cake lady’, Connie, an NHS hospital discharge lead who lives in London, has been a passionate baker for her whole life, using it as a way to unwind after a busy day.
Along with working in the NHS she also runs a music centre in London with her husband Myke where she will try out her new recipes on the students.
Her baking style is “adventurous, fun and nostalgic” and she is best known for making treats flavoured with rum fruit, lemon or lavender, adding that she always keeps a jar of fruit soaking in rum, wine and cinnamon.
Gabe, 32
Described as the “daddy of Birmingham drag”, Gabe is costume designer and produces theatre shows and performs under the drag king stage name of Blu Romantic.
Their baking journey began aged 13 after watching the first series of Bake Off and they love making meringue along with more savoury, meat-filled bakes.
Raised in Grimsby, they now live in the West Midlands with partners Ellis and Tyler and their two sausage dogs, Dill and Sage.
Gary, 67
Gary, a retired garment technologist, discovered baking later in life after buying his first cookbook five years ago.
After beating prostate cancer, Gary is passionate about raising awareness and funds for cancer charities through bake sales and coffee mornings.
Born and bred in Chesterfield, Gary now lives in the Nottinghamshire countryside with his wife Donna along with their many animals including sheep, horses, chickens, a miniature pygmy goat and Shetland ponies.
Molly, 31
The accessibility co-ordinator who lives in London began baking when she was six years old and has a love for traditional bakes and classic flavours including hazelnut, fresh fruit and mint.
In 2020 she turned to baking to stay motivated and keep her connected to friends and family during a difficult period with her health.
She is also a self-described musical theatre fanatic and has been involved in many drama groups.
Moyin, 22
Balancing his political economy studies with athletics, baking and a part-time job, Essex-based Moyin began baking with his mother when he was five years old.
He uses flavours inspired by his Nigerian heritage, including grains of paradise and groundnuts.
Mo, 21
The 21-year-old West Midlands law student’s love of baking began when he was three when he would pretend to cook with Play-Doh.
He now produces precise, professional-looking bakes often infusing Asian flavours into traditional British classics.
Nikki, 50
Baking has always been a form of therapy for Nikki, an advertising post-producer from London who began making treats with her mother when she was seven years old.
Her baking will be paired with a bespoke soundtrack switching from nostalgic R&B for tried and tested desserts to classical music for something more experimental.
Shannon, 29
The project planner and scheduler is a nature-loving foodie who loves to cook with ingredients she has grown herself, describing her style as “whimsical, quirky and rustic”.
Growing up in Bristol Shannon now lives in the Gloucestershire countryside and is passionate about bringing “a little forest magic” into her bakes.
Tom, 25
The hairdresser is a self-proclaimed ‘Northern Diva’ who lives in West Yorkshire and loves creating witty, pretty and delicious bakes.
Growing up he would escape to his nan’s to bake and now brings his colleagues taste-testers including his speciality, salted caramel brownies.
Yannis, 28
When he is not working in a busy neonatal intensive care unit, the London-based paediatric doctor will be in the kitchen baking treats influenced by a range of food cultures.
Born in Vienna, Yannis moved to London aged 11 and grew up in a Bangladeshi household, with his first memory of baking making bhapa pitha with his grandmother before learning classic Austrian treats at school.
Bake Off quickly became a crucial part of his education and helped Yannis learn English.
Who has been eliminated so far?
Danni, 25
Service centre administrator Danni was eliminated after they failing to impress during biscuit week.
Following their elimination, the 25-year-old said: “Thank you so much, it’s been so lovely, it has! Oh my goodness, I am really happy that I was the first one out because I know everyone in there has more skills than me.
“But I think I’ve learned something about myself, which is that in the right circumstances I can make quite a few friends. Finding love in a group of strangers – that’s just beautiful.”
Despite being the first baker sent packing, Danni said they felt the “writing was on the wall” and it “wasn’t a surprise at all”.
“Of all the bakers there I was easily the weakest, which isn’t bad at all – it means I have 11 other people to bug about baking questions now whenever I want!!!” they said.
Danni added that competing on Bake Off gave them “some of the best advice about how to improve something that I love”.
The Great British Bake Off returns on Channel 4 on September 22 at 8pm.
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