Meet the new Great British Bake Off 2026 bakers

Ovens at the ready! A fresh batch of 12 bakers is preparing to whisk, roll and rise to the challenge in the new series of The Great British Bake Off.

Amateur bakers face different challenges, from making biscuits and bread to creating huge, eye-catching cakes. Each week, the judges choose a Star Baker, while another contestant usually leaves the tent.

This year, TV cook Nigella Lawson replaces Dame Prue Leith as a judge.

She will taste the bakers' creations alongside Paul Hollywood, while Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding return as presenters.

The contestants are aged between 21 and 67 and include a children's doctor, a law student, and a hairdresser.

But who will rise to the occasion, and whose plans could end in cake tiers?

Let's meet the bakers!

From: Hertfordshire

Job: Marketing graduate

Clara was born in Aveiro in Portugal and moved to the UK when she was 18.

She speaks several languages and began baking two years ago, specialising in colourful cakes and Portuguese treats.

Clara is also a big animal fan and loves spending time with her spaniel Gigi and her tiny pygmy hedgehog, Pecan.

From: London

Job: NHS hospital discharge lead

Connie is known as the "Cake Lady" and says she cannot remember a time when she did not bake.

She has worked for the NHS for more than 20 years, helping people who are well enough to leave hospital get the support they need at home.

Baking helps Connie relax after a busy day. She is famous for her carrot cakes and enjoys flavours including lemon, lavender and fruit.

From: Dorset

Job: HGV service centre administrator

Danni loves exploring the countryside and foraging, which means searching outdoors for ingredients that are safe to eat.

Danni is also a huge technology fan. They draw anime-style pictures, design websites and repair old machines, often decorating bakes using ideas from video games and animation.

From: West Midlands

Job: Artist and drag king

Gabe started baking after watching the very first series of Bake Off when they were 13.

As well as baking, Gabe is an artist, costume designer, theatre producer and entertainer.

Gabe describes their baking as "gorgeous but very homemade" and particularly enjoys savoury pastries and meringue.

From: Nottinghamshire

Job: Retired garment technologist

Gary is the oldest baker in the tent this year. He only discovered his love of baking five years ago after buying his first cookbook in a gift shop.

He now enjoys making precise, carefully decorated bakes with bold flavours, especially citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges.

From: London

Job: Accessibility coordinator

Molly has been baking for more than 25 years after first being inspired by her grandmother.

During a difficult time with her health in 2020, baking helped Molly stay motivated and connected to her family and friends. She enjoys traditional recipes and classic flavours, including hazelnut, fresh fruit and mint.

Molly works for a disability charity, checking how accessible transport is for disabled people.

From: Essex

Job: Political economy student

Moyin has a lot on his plate. He balances university, a part-time job, athletics and baking.

He started baking with his mum when he was five. By 14, he had mastered macaronage, a careful mixing technique used to make macarons.

Moyin's bakes are often inspired by his Nigerian heritage and include ingredients such as groundnuts and grains of paradise, a West African spice.

From: West Midlands

Job: Law student

Mo is the youngest baker in this year's competition and describes himself as "chaotic and random".

His love of baking began when he was three and pretended to cook using Play-Doh.

Mo began with boxed cake mixes but now creates neat, professional-looking bakes. He often mixes Asian flavours with traditional British recipes.

From: London

Job: Advertising post-producer

Nikki began baking with her mum when she was seven and says it helps her feel calm.

She listens to different music depending on what she is baking. Familiar desserts call for classic R&B tunes, while new experiments get a soundtrack of calm classical music.

From: Gloucestershire

Job: Project planner and scheduler

Shannon wants to bring "a little forest magic" to the Bake Off tent.

She lives in the countryside with her fiancé Scott, two Staffordshire Bull Terriers and a tortoise called Tyrone.

Shannon was taught to bake by her nan and describes her creations as magical, quirky and rustic. She often cooks using ingredients she has grown herself.

From: West Yorkshire

Job: Hairdresser

Hairdresser Tom already knows plenty about cutting and styling, but can he give his cakes the perfect trim?

Tom started baking with his nan when he was six and had mastered brandy snaps before he was 10.

He calls himself a "Northern Diva" and likes making bakes that are witty, pretty and delicious. His workmates are happy to test his creations, especially his famous salted caramel brownies.

From: London

Job: Children's doctor

Yannis is a paediatric doctor, which means he looks after babies, children and young people.

Yannis says his cakes can bring happiness to the busy hospital ward.

He was born in Vienna, Austria, and moved to London when he was 11. Watching Bake Off helped him learn English.

The Great British Bake Off returns on Tuesday 22 September at 8pm on Channel 4