Meet the cast of Great British Bake Off 2026: A 'drag king', a self-professed 'diva' hairdresser and two students make up this year's crop of amateur bakers hoping to impress

As sure as night follows day, a brand new series of The Great British Bake off will be released to mark the beginning of autumn.And ahead of its return, Channel 4 has revealed the lineup of amateur bakers taking part in this year’s series, including a self-confessed ‘drag king’ who has not one but two partners.The competition series, now in its 17th series, returns with 12 new contestants, alongside new host Nigella Lawson.Among those hoping to create spectacular showstoppers for the celebrity chef, 66, and her counterpart Paul Hollywood, 60,Nigella was announced as Prue Leith’s replacement in January this year, following the restaurateur’s decision to step down after nine years in the famous white marque.The hosting changes also extend to its spin-off show, Extra Slice, which has been replaced by Second Helpings. The hugely popular Great British Bake Off is poised to return with a sixteenth series on September 22, with a whole new crop of cake creators Presenters Jo Brand and Tom Allen have stepped aside, with Judi Love and Jon Richardson replacing them.Meanwhile, Alison Hammon and Noel Fielding return as the hosts of the main show, when it launches on Tuesday, September 22 at 8pm on Channel 4.Keep scrolling to learn about this year’s batch of hopefuls.ClaraThe marketing graduate, 24, loves creating chaotic and colourful designs and always believes ‘the first bite of a bake is always with the eye’.Originally from Aveiro in Portugal, Clara moved to the UK when she was 18 and now lives in Hertfordshire.She began baking cakes two years ago as a creative outlet, and then recreating Portuguese classics like Tarte de Nata for her British fiancé Kieran and his family.Clara said: ‘I cannot explain the amazing chemistry we all had together, I think we were all bonded by the trauma of practicing so many times and we were so eager to just connect and talk to someone who was going through this process as well.’ Originally from Aveiro in Portugal, Clara moved to the UK when she was 18 and now lives in HertfordshireConnieNHS hospital discharge lead Connie, 63, has always used baking as a way to unwind after a busy day at work.Known affectionately as the ‘cake lady’ Connie’s favourite thing to bake is hearty carrot cakes, with flavours including rum fruit, lemon and lavender.She also runs a music centre in London with her husband of 23 years Myke.Connie was initially told she hadn’t made the final 12 and was placed on the standby baker list.She said: ‘As the deadline approached, I accepted that it probably wasn't going to happen. I genuinely believed the chances of being called were incredibly slim, so I moved on and put it to the back of my mind. Then everything changed with one phone call.‘When I was told that a place had become available and that I could take part, I was completely speechless. The news felt surreal, and for a while I couldn't quite process what I was hearing. I kept checking that it was real because it seemed too good to be true.’ Known affectionately as the ‘cake lady’ Connie’s favourite thing to bake is hearty carrot cakesDanniDorset native Danni, 25, loves foraging in the countryside for their ingredients. By day, they work as a HGV service centre administrator with their father.Their bakes often combine foraged finds such as magnolia, chestnut and dandelion with far-flung flavours like ube and red bean paste.As well as baking, Danni’s other hobbies include anime doodling and soldering broken traces on the motherboard of her Commodore 64.Gushing over Nigella, Danni said: ‘It was so nice to get to see Nigella walk into the tent - she had such a sense of wonder about her when she took her place, and it felt so right for her to be there.‘She took to it like a duck to water! She truly is wonderful, very genuine in her approach to baking and you can tell just how much she cares about taking on board what she’s tasting and helping you with improving it even more!’ By day Danni works as a HGV service centre administrator with their fatherGabeSelf-described as the ‘daddy of Birmingham drag’, Gabe first discovered their joy for baking when they watched the very first episode of GBBO as a 13-year-old.Now 32, Gabe describes their baking style as ‘gorgeous but very homemade’, with a preference for savoury, meat-filled bakes and an obsession with meringue.They have two partners, Ellis and Tyler, and live in the West Midlands.Gabe produces theatre shows for their day job, and performs as their drag persona, Blü Romantic.They said: ‘I have met Alison before, she famously smacked my bum, live on Channel 4 while I was in drag on Late Night Lycett, so I was excited to take our relationship to the next level.‘As a Mighty Boosh obsessed teen, who grew into a Mighty Boosh obsessed adult I was so hyped to meet Noel. I was so ready to cream pie myself and impersonate the moon with him!’ Self-described as the ‘daddy of Birmingham drag’, Gabe first discovered their joy for baking when they watched the very first episode of GBBO as a 13-year-oldGaryRetired garment technologist Gary, 67, only bought his first cooking book five years ago and since then hasn’t looked back.Gary describes his baking style as traditional, with a focus on impeccable presentation and bold flavours, particularly citrus.He lives with his wife of over 30 years, Donna, at their countryside home in Nottinghamshire.Gary said: ‘When I met Noel we were joking about the resemblance between me and Paul and how we could be connected at birth.‘When I met Alison I was concentrating on baking and noticed her big friendly smile when she came towards me. I also did some Northern Soul dancing with Alison which was an experience. I was showing her how to do this as I love Northern Soul.’ Gary describes his baking style as traditional, with a focus on impeccable presentation and bold flavours, particularly citrusMollyAccessibility coordinator Molly, 31, was inspired to start baking by her grandmother when she was just a child.The Londoner turned to baking in 2020 when she battled health issues, which took her skills to a whole new level. She likes bakes and classic flavours.Apart from baking, Molly is also a huge Formula 1 fan, clearing her diary for every race, and is currently 25% through a 350,000 cross-stitch landscape of Rivendell.Speaking about walking inside the famous tent, Molly said: ‘It was almost reassuring that it was Nigella’s first time in the tent too. It’s a daunting experience, but knowing it was new to her as well felt like we were experiencing things together.’ Molly turned to baking in 2020 when she battled health issues, which took her skills to a whole new level. She likes bakes and classic flavoursMoyinMoyin is a political economy student from Essex, who balances his studies with baking, a part-time job and athletics.The 22-year-old started baking when he was five years old with his mother and had mastered the Macaronag by 14.His flavours are inspired by his Nigerian heritage, including grains of paradise and groundnuts.A competitive sprinter, Moyin was crowned U20 County Champion in the 100m, and his pre-race motivational playlist features Afrobeats, R&B and conscious rap. He lives with his mum, sister and grandmother, and regularly visits family in Nigeria, Canada and the USA.He said of his co-stars: ‘I was so worried about meeting them but I don’t think I could have a better bunch of people. We met in the hotel and I was the last person there because I was late. I remember walking in and being so overwhelmed because there were so many faces and I was just thinking what the actual heck is going on. I remember sitting on a table with Gabe and Nikki, from the first time I met those two we have been up to no good.’ Moyin is a political economy student from Essex, who balances his studies with baking, a part-time job and athleticsMoMo, a 21-year-old law student from the West Midlands, has ambitions of becoming a solicitor, though has surprised his wider family with his love of baking.He started out by buying boxed vanilla cake mixes from the local corner shop but now bakes precise and professional looking cakes, infusing Asian flavours with traditional British classics.When he isn’t baking, Mo can be found at the gym lifting weights.Speaking about new host Nigella, Mo said: ‘I was very excited to meet Nigella as I’d remember my mom loved watching her growing up and having her tv shows on in the background while playing.‘It was interesting to see her find her place working with Paul and I loved the different perspectives and preferences they had as they didn’t always agree.’ Mo started out by buying boxed vanilla cake mixes from the local corner shop but now bakes precise and professional looking cakesNikki50-year-old advertising post-producer Nikki has always found baking to be a form of therapy for her and blasts R&B and classical music while making her creations.Nikki, who has applied to be on the show multiple times, has been with her ‘soul mate’ Tom for 22 years, and they have a 16-year-old daughter, Ava.She is a former podium dancer at Basingstoke’s Ziggy’s Night Club and still hits the dance floor regularly with her cousins.Nikki said: ‘One of my favourite moments was breaking the ice with Paul during the first episode. He took a bite of my Self Portrait Showstopper, paused, and just stared off into the distance with this thoughtful look on his face. I couldn't resist and said, "Where's it taking you, Paul?"‘He snapped out of his daze and deadpanned, "It's taking me to Weight Watchers!" I burst out laughing!’ Nikki has always found baking to be a form of therapy for her and blasts R&B and classical music while making her creationsShannonProject planner Shannon is a nature-loving foodie and lives in the countryside with her fiancé Scott and their two dogs.The 29-year-old has been baking for as long as she can remember, taught by her beloved Nan, and describes her style as whimsical, quirky and rustic.She has revealed she once rode a horse through a drive thru.Speaking about her baking superpower, Nikki said: ‘I think my secret superpower is the way my baking makes people feel at home. I love creating flavours that take people back to happy memories, those little moments of nostalgia that make you pause and smile.‘My fiancé Scott always says that when I make fresh bread with proper salted butter, it tastes exactly like how his grandad used to make it. Hearing that brings me so much joy, because it’s like my baking gives him a moment with someone he loved. My superpower is bringing smiles out of nowhere, letting the good vibes flow, and helping people make new happy memories while revisiting old ones. That’s the magic of baking for me.’ Project planner Shannon is a nature-loving foodie and lives in the countryside with her fiancé Scott and their two dogsTomSelf-confessed Northern Diva Tom, 25, is a hairdresser by day in a busy salon in West Yorkshire, but loves nothing more than getting into the kitchen and baking.While his older brother was off at football matches, six-year-old Tom would escape to his Nan’s to bake.His colleagues are often taste-testers and he admits he can overshare about his personal life.Outside of baking, Tom loves travelling and recently spent seven months exploring Southeast Asia with his boyfriend, Alex.He said of joining the show: ‘I have dreamed about being on Bake Off for so long that I kind of knew one day I would get on. I never imagined it would be the first year I applied that I would get on. I couldn’t believe it when I got the call.‘Throughout the whole application process whenever one step was completed, I just thought to myself right that will be the last one and they won’t be contacting me again but I couldn’t believe it when it kept on going. I think I just said omg omg omg omg omg over and over again, then I bought a bottle of prosecco on my way home to surprise my boyfriend with the news.’ Tom is a hairdresser by day in a busy salon in West Yorkshire, but loves nothing more than getting into the kitchen and bakingYannisPaediatric doctor Yannis, 28, wants to break the stigma that Bangladeshi men don’t belong in the kitchen.Born in Vienna before moving to London aged 11, Yannis’ baking has been influenced by many food cultures. His first baking memory is making Bhapa Pitha with his grandmother.Away from baking, he is also a Bhangra dancer, and his wedding shimmy has become legendary amongst his friends.Yannis said if he was castaway on a desert island with only one cookbook, it would be Nigella’s: ‘Her books were part of what made me fall deeper in love with baking, so if I’m going to be stranded on an island, I at least want some comforting inspiration with me.’ Paediatric doctor Yannis wants to break the stigma that Bangladeshi men don’t belong in the kitchen