The Great British Bake Off 2024 solid REVEALED

Grab your aprons and wooden spoons as the Great British Bake Off is set to return with its 15th series on Tuesday 24 September.

Returning to screens on Channel 4 at 8pm, once again 12 amateur bakers from all walks of life will battle it out to impress judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, and maybe even bag themselves a Hollywood handshake. 

This year’s bunch includes a fashion designer, paediatric nurse and farm manager who even made the shortlist for Young Farmer of the Year. 

Aged from 19 to 71 there is sure to be no shortage of baking masterpieces and hopefully not too many soggy bottoms in the tent as the gang are joined by returning hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. 

So without further ado, ready set…. let’s meet this year’s bakers!

Christiaan, 33, The Netherlands 

Kicking off this year’s bake off line up is menswear designer Christiann. 

Originally from The Netherlands, the young creative studied fashion in Amsterdam before moving to the UK to pursue his career seven years ago. 

While the balance of style over substance is always a tricky one, Christiaan is keen to let his eye for fashion inspire his baking by adding a creative flair to his masterpieces.  

He said: ‘As a baker, one of my strengths is to not be afraid to try out new things, taking risks which may pay off or they may not.’

‘I also think my background in fashion can play to my strengths, when thinking about design/details/colours/etc.’

I guess we will see if the judges agree!  

Georgie, 34, Carmarthenshire

Next up we have paediatric nurse Georgie who lives a busy life with her husband, three children, 10 chickens, two ducks, two dogs and a cat. 

A self-proclaimed cannoli connoisseur, although she lives in Wales, Georgie owes her love of baking to her Italian roots. 

When she isn’t baking or at work, the nurse is also a keen forager and enjoys being in the outdoors with her family.  

She explained: ‘My strengths as a baker are that I have had many different influences in the kitchen from a young age, so I have played with lots of various techniques. 

‘As a mother, I never have much time, so I always try to [have to] be able to pack as much flavour into my baking and cooking, in little time.’ 

Mike, 29, Wiltshire  

Mike has always dreamed of applying for Bake Off, and this year he bit the bullet and went for it, thanks to the support of his fiancé Matt.

A fourth-generation farmer, Mike works with his sister and parents at their family farm in Wiltshire and was even shortlisted for Young Farmer of the Year at the 2024 National Arable and Grassland Awards.

Incorporating the farm life in with his bakes, Mike likes to include as much freshly-grown fruit and edible flowers as he can. 

Excited for the show to air he gushed: ‘So many of my friends have said for years that I should apply, and my fiancé Matt and I have always spoken about how incredible it would be, but it’s always been in a sort of dreamy way, like talking of the things you’d buy if you won the lottery. 

‘You never actually believe that it will happen!’ 

Illiyin, 31, Norfolk  

Illiyin has an intense job as a birth trauma specialist midwife but makes sure she has time for baking in her spare time. 

Also a published author, the healthcare professional likes to include different cultures in her baking, using Middle Eastern ingredient like rose and mint and whipping up Caribbean-inspired savoury bakes. 

After being a fan of the show for years, Illiyin was left starstruck after meeting Alison and Noel for the first time. 

She joked: ‘I was a little starstruck when I first met them having watched both of them for years. 

‘I think I was probably a little bit like a goldfish with my mouth opening and closing and no noise coming out!’

 John, 37, West Midlands 

There is always one baker who pulls on the viewer’s heart strings after being inspired by their nan, and this year it’s John. 

The The NHS Directorate support manager learned everything he knows about baking from his nan and is already passing all his knowledge down to his nephews. 

Serving up the sweet treats his signature bakes include fairy cakes, pies and lemon tarts. 

‘I will never, ever forget the first, “On your marks, get set… BAKE,” followed by the sheer panic-fuelled excitement,’ John recalled.

‘That moment will stay with me forever.’ 

Sumayah, 19, Lancashire  

This year’s youngest contestant is student Sumayah who decided to fill her gap year with a sugary challenge before heading off to study dentistry next year.

Good at creating things from scratch, Sumayah is also a keen sewer and even makes her own clothes. 

The student admitted her audition for the show didn’t quite go to plan, yet she had a gut feeling she was destined for the tent. 

‘Despite my disastrous audition, I had this inexplicable feeling that I would get into the tent,’ she explained. 

‘Not because I was confident in myself, but more a sense of impending fear. I still can’t believe I actually got in, it’s unbelievable! I missed the phone call five times, so I was the last baker they notified.’ 

Jeff, 67, New York 

Raised in the Bronx in New York, Jeff touched down in the UK in 1979 and now lives in West Yorkshire. 

The former university lecturer, who is also a keen basketball player and swimmer, has learnt all his baking knowledge from his grandmother and Hungarian great-grandmother. 

Describing the moment he found out he was in Bake Off, Jeff said: ‘Well, it is kind of unbelievable – as you know, there are a lot of people that apply. 

‘So you pinch yourself, you get excited about doing it, and it is very flattering to feel that they think you are good enough to be in the tent.’

Nelly, 44, Slovakia  

Another healthcare worker, Nelly bakes when she isn’t on shift as a palliative care assistant. 

Originally from Slovakia, Nelly moved to Austria to study nursing before moving to the UK where she now resides in Dorset. 

Her love of baking began when she was inspired to try her neighbour’s gingerbread recipe, so she’s expected to shine in biscuit week! 

Also a fan of incorporating different cultures in her baking she likes to play around with both Slovakian influences and those from her husband’s Pakistani heritage. 

Dylan, 20, Buckinghamshire  

Currently working as a retail temp, Dylan recently returned from his gap year trip travelling around Southeast Asia and came back keen for a new challenge. 

With an Indian mother and Japanese-Belgian father, Dylan’s bakes have a wide spectrum of inspiration with him also fond of the work of French pâtissérie chefs.

Recounting the moment he found out he’d be entering the tent, Dylan said: ‘I was in the car with my mum, we were driving to my grandma’s to celebrate her birthday. 

‘I was happy, I didn’t really register it, my mum was super happy, the crew could hear her cry out.’

Hazel, 71, Kent 

This year’s eldest baker, Hazel is a former nail technician who now bedazzles bakes instead of fingertips. 

A family gathering isn’t complete without one of Hazel’s innovative creations and in her spare time she enjoys heading down to the bingo. 

Her best work includes numerous car cakes with working lights and remote control wheels and a carousel birthday cake adorned with 500 edible diamonds. 

Revealing how she got used to the camera, Hazel said: ‘The thought of it was frightening, but as you started baking, you seem to forget everything else around you, especially in my case! 

‘You do get used to them, but at the same time can be easily distracted by them.’

Andy, 44, Essex 

Andy has been baking since he was a child and is now ready to show judges Paul and Prue what he’s learnt. 

When he isn’t baking the car mechanic enjoys seeing the world in his motor home with his partner Nicki. 

He is also hoping to inspire his daughter Maisie to follow in his baking footsteps. 

Describing the show as his dream he gushed: ‘Only in my wildest dreams I imagined being in the big white tent. 

‘It was such a dream to finally get to be a part of this wonderful show.’

 Gill, 53, Lancashire

Gill can’t remember a time when she wasn’t baking and uses her sweet treats to raise money for an Alzheimer’s charity in memory of her dad. 

The Senior category manager also has the surprising title of the UK’s youngest driving instructor at just 21 back in 1993. 

Reflecting on the surreal moment when she finally entered the tent, she said: ‘I had been calm and fine until we got to visit our benches for the first time, I was at the back with Mike and we just had this moment where we looked at each other in disbelief and just started laughing.

‘We were hugging and laughing with tears running down our faces for quite a while!’

The Great British Bake Off kicks off on September 24 at 8pm on Channel 4.