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    Everything you need to know about the new series of The Great British Bake Off

    Katrina ReesBy

    On your marks, get set, bake! We’re only a few days away from the new series of The Great British Bake Off and it’s safe to say that there’s quite the buzz surrounding the show. Here’s everything you need to know about the new series!

    When does The Great British Bake Off Start?

    The Great British Bake Off returns to our screens on Tuesday August 29 at 8pm. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will know that this will be the first series to air on Channel 4, after the BBC lost the rights to the much-loved programme.

    This does mean that for the first time ever, we’re going to have to put up with adverts during the show. According to The Sun, the first episode includes 16 minutes and 24 seconds of advertising, so you may want to take new judge Prue Leith’s advice and record the show so that you can fast forward through the adverts.

    Who are the judges and presenters?

    In addition to the channel move, there’s also been a huge shake up amongst the judging and presenting line up. It has been well documented that fan favourites Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins decided to leave the show upon its move from the BBC.

    However, Paul Hollywood decided to stay and will be joined by three new faces. Prue Leith will be stepping into Mary’s shoes as a judge, whilst Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig will be hoping to become the new presenting dream team.

    great british bake off

    Who are the contestants?

    The twelve bakers who will be competing this year include a Laboratory Research Scientist, a bald, baking banker and the oldest contestant in Bake Off history! Meet the Class of 2017 below.

    Kate (Aged 29) – Merseyside

    Kate is a Health and Safety inspector from Merseyside. As a history fan, she uses old-fashioned techniques for baking which could prove useful in some of the challenges. Kate is a predominantly self taught baker who began her craft around two years ago after growing her own vegetables. Her other hobbies include blacksmithing and furniture restoration, yoga and outdoor pursuits.

    Peter (Aged 52) – Essex

    Peter is an IT Programme Manager and lives in Essex with his wife Tito and two children, Temi and Toni. Born in Brixton, he moved to Nigeria when he was seven years old. He eventually moved back to the UK when he was 24. Peter’s love of baking began around eight years ago when he felt unwell, something he put down to eating shop bought bread. The health conscious baker started making his own, and the rest is history. When he isn’t baking, you will find Peter running on the beach, playing badminton, spinning, and playing chess.

    Julia (Aged 21) West Sussex

    Julia is originally from Kemerovo, Siberia, but met her British husband Matt whilst on holiday in Turkey when she was 17. She is a self-taught baker and had to save up money from her after school job to buy the ingredients. Julia dreamed of applying for the show after moving to the UK, and has therefore spent the past three years honing her skills in order to take part!

    Chris (Aged 50) – Bristol

    Chris works as a software developer. Originally from Sussex, he now lives with his wife Catherine in Bristol. Chris will be one to look out for in terms of unusual flavour combinations, as he loves the science behind baking. Apart from baking, Chris loves sailing, travelling, writing, visiting bakeries and as a cancer survivor, strives to inspire patients touched by the disease.

    Flo (Aged 71) – Merseyside

    Flo is this year’s oldest contestant, and in fact the oldest baker to take part in The Great British Bake Off to date! Raised in Huyton, Liverpool, alongside her eleven siblings, Flo met her late husband Richard at the age of 21 whilst working at a sausage factory. She began to bake treats for their three young children, and after Richard passed away two years ago, her son Stephen encouraged her to start baking again as a means of dealing with grieving. When she’s not helping her son by baking for his restaurant, you will find Flo singing karaoke, having a boogie with her friends and baking for her family.

    Steven (Aged 34) – Hertfordshire

    Baking is definitely in Steven’s blood. Raised in a family of strong baking women, he was taught the basics by his mum 25 years ago. However, Steven really started to take baking seriously once he had his own kitchen. He now cooks and bakes everything he eats and even lost a huge five stone by doing so! Steven lives and breathes baking, and is most likely to be found reading and updating recipes. Asides from baking, he has a background in marketing and loves to travel.

    Chuen-Yan ‘Yan’ (Aged 46) North London

    Yan was born in Hong Kong and moved to the UK when she was two years old. She now lives in North London with her wife Marian, cat Kacey and her sourdough starter called ‘Muvver’. After training as a Biomedical Scientist, Yan works for The Francis Crick Institute as a Laboratory Research Scientist. Growing up in a Chinese household saw Yan’s family steam rather than bake, with their oven being used as storage space rather than for cooking. However, Yan started to take baking more seriously ten years ago when she found herself in between 24 hour shifts.

    James (Aged 46) – Essex

    James, who describes himself as a bald, baking banker from Brentwood with a bad back, lives in Essex with his wife Ann, two sons Oliver & Ethan and their three chickens: Sparkles, Superman and Jeff. In addition to banking, he also trained as a port diver for the Royal Navy Reserves. When he’s not baking, James loves to spend time at his allotment, where he grows fresh produce to use in his bakes. James cites his father as his baking influence, as he first taught him to bake over 40 years ago.

    Sophie (Aged 33) – Surrey

    Sophie lives in Surrey with her boyfriend, David and cat Loki. After graduating with a Masters in Psychology at The University of Toulouse, Sophie went on to join the British Army as an Officer in the Royal Artillery. She discovered her natural baking talent after leaving the army, when she volunteered to make a birthday cake for a friend. When she’s not baking, you will find Sophie track cycling, rowing, teaching Military boot camps and training to be a stuntwoman.

    Tom (Aged 29) – Edinburgh

    Tom is an architect and lives in Edinburgh with his partner David. He was taught to bake by his mother June, a Home Economics teacher, and he and his family cherish recipe books passed down by grandparents from both sides of the family. When Tom’s not making fresh shortbread and other delicious baked goods, you will most definitely find him in the great outdoors. He counts rugby, triathlons, marathons, skiing, horse riding, fresh water swimming, hiking, writing and photography among his many interests.

    Stacey (Aged 42) – Hertfordshire

    Stacey is a former school teacher and lives with her husband James and their three young sons in Hertfordshire. Whilst she remembers helping her grandmother make bread and butter pudding when she was a young girl, her love for baking truly came to life during her university days. A self-confessed perfectionist, nothing leaves Stacey’s kitchen unless she’s completely satisfied with it. She also likes to incorporate her Jewish heritage into her baking.

    Liam (Aged 19) North London

    Known as the ‘Cake Boy’ amongst his university friends, student Liam already has a vast baking repertoire under his belt despite having only baked for four years. He believes that baking is a universal language that can bring people together from all walks of life, and aims to make baking more acceptable amongst the younger generation. He is already channelling his mission by baking regularly with his young nephews, in order to install that positive attitude in them.

    What can we expect from The Great British Bake Off?

    People don’t like change, and many have expressed their concern about the forthcoming series following the move to Channel 4. However, early reports state that we have absolutely nothing to worry about! Whilst there are some changes with regards to the channel, adverts and team, the show’s format remains the same.

    The new trailer for the Great British Bake Off shows that we can expect the usual triumphant bakes (Watermelon cake anyone?!), soggy bottom disasters and plenty of giggles. Noel even gives Paul a new nickname! Check it out below.

    The new series of The Great British Bake Off begins on Tuesday August 29 at 8pm.

    Are you excited for the new series of The Great British Bake Off? Let us know on Twitter @CelebMix

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