Great British Bake Off 2026 Cast: Everything You Need To Know

The Great British Bake Off casting team has knocked it out of the park once again.

With just two weeks to go until the tent reopens for another season – with new judge Nigella Lawson at the helm for the first time – Channel 4 has introduced us to the 12 new contestants, and they’re as eclectic a bunch as ever.

Among them are a Bhangra-dancing paediatric doctor, a former-podium-dancer-turned-advertising-exec, an aspiring competitive sprinter and a polyamorous drag king.

In other words, yes, there are plenty of different flavours in the mix this time around.

Get to know the 12 new bakers being put through their paces by Paul and Nigella, ahead of the show’s return later this month…

Occupation: Marketing graduate

Interesting fact: Originally hailing from Aveiro, Portugal, Clara is an animal lover, who says she’s happiest around her pets Gigi the spaniel and Pecan the hedgehog.

Occupation: NHS hospital discharge lead

Interesting fact: In addition to her decades-spanning career in the NHS, Connie and her music teacher husband run a music centre in London.

Occupation: HGB service centre administrator

Interesting fact: Danni is a tech enthusiast who tinkers with web design and game development, and says their bakes are often inspired by the worlds of video games, fantasy and animation.

Occupation: Artist and drag king

Interesting fact: Those on the Birmingham drag scene might be familiar with Gabe’s drag king alter-ego Blü Romantic. A creative force, they’re also a costume designer, theatre producer and keen gardener, who moved from Grimsby to the West Midlands, where they now live with partners Ellis and Tyler, and their two sausage dogs, Dill and Sage.

Occupation: Retired garment technologist

Interesting fact: Gary discovered baking late in life, just five years ago, and is another animal lover, who looks after sheep, horses, chickens and miniature pygmy goats and Shetland ponies, among others. A prostate cancer survivor, he is keen to raise awareness of the condition, as well as taking part in fundraising.

Occupation: Accessibility co-ordinator

Interesting fact: Molly says her love of baking helped her through a difficult period in her health back in 2020. A cross-stitcher and F1 lover, she is currently mixing these two hobbies with a 350,000-stich landscape of Rivendell.

Occupation: Political economy student

Interesting fact: Moyin has been baking since the age of five, and is a competitive sprinter, having previously been crowned the under-20s County Champion in the 100m.

Interesting fact: Mo says we need to prepare ourselves for his “chaotic and random” personality when he steps into the tent, and has been fascinated by baking ever since discovering Play-Doh at the age of three.

Occupation: Advertising post-producer

Interesting fact: A former podium dancer at Basingstone’s Ziggy’s Night Club in the 90s, Nikki says her bakes are often inspired by the music she’s listening to at the time, whether that’s “nostalgic R&B” or more classical pieces.

Occupation: Project planner

Interesting fact: Shannon’s biggest love is the great outdoors and nature, which includes her two dogs and pet tortoise. She says she wants to bring “forest magic” to the tent – and once rode a horse through a fast food drive-through.

Interesting fact: Tom fell in love with baking at a child, preferring to spend time honing his skills with his Nan while the rest of his family were at football matches. He recently completed a seven-month travelling stint around South-East Asia, and describes himself as a bit of an over-sharer. Consider us sat.

Interesting fact: Born in Vienna before moving to the UK as a child, he says watching Bake Off helped him hone his English skills, and is also a Bhangra dancer.

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