The youngest ever line up of Great British Bake Off contestants are selfie obsessed globe-trotting Instagram addicts who have documented their lives with glamorous photographs of their holidays and kitchen creations.
Party-loving fashion designers, a geography teacher, a vet, a part-time waiter, a project manager who runs her own jewellery shop and a classic car and F1 fan are among the 13 home-bakers competing in the tenth series of the Channel 4 show.
This year’s eagerly awaited series is championing younger cake makers as the new crop is made up of seven people in their 20’s, while the oldest contestant is 56, and the average age inside the tent is just 31.
Alice Fevronia
Alice, 28, a geography teacher who lives in east London, has an Instagram packed full with pictures from abroad.
Just two days ago she uploaded photos of herself on holiday in Greece and wrote: ‘Holiday mode, fully engaged #boatymcboatface #seastheday #ohbuoy’
Other images show her cuddling a dog, on a river boat cruise with friends on the Thames, a trip to France, and walking in Snowdonia in Wales.
Geography teacher Alice Fevronia, 28, who lives in east London, has uploaded photos of herself on holiday in Greece just two days ago, and wrote: ‘Holiday mode, fully engaged #boatymcboatface #seastheday #ohbuoy’
Alice Fevronia during her recent trip to Greece. She works as a geography teacher in east London
Alice on a recent trip to Wales. She has posted other images of her on holiday in Paris and Greece, and with a dog
Jamie Finn
Selfie loving identical twin Jamie, 20, is a part time waiter from Surrey.
His Instagram account has several shots of him posing in front of the camera on social media.
One friend wrote: ‘Let me borrow those biceps,’ and another said: ‘Go on son give me some more muscles.’
On his Twitter account, which looks like it has been recently created, he posted a photo of his fellow contestants and wrote: ‘Absolutely mental I still can’t believe it!’
Selfie loving identical twin Jamie Finn, 20, a part time waiter from Surrey has several shots of him posing in front of the camera on social media
Alongside one of his images a friend wrote: ‘Let me borrow those biceps,’ and another said: ‘Go on son give me some more muscles’
Amelia Le Bruin
The 24-year-old fashion designer, has an Instagram feed filled with selfies of her out and about with friends, showing off her new hairstyles.
The reality TV fan posted regularly about ITV show Love ITV’s Love Island.
She has uploaded snaps of her attending a dance music festival near Leipzig in Germany, enjoying the sunshine in a London park and images of some of her bakes.
Five weeks ago she posted a photo of pink flamingo cake, and a friend wrote: ‘Get her on the bake off!#justiceforamelia. She replied: ‘Hahaha you make me laugh.’
Fashion designer Amelia Le Bruin, 24, (pictured) has an Instagram feed filled with selfies of her out and about with friends, showing off her new hairstyles and talking about the recent series of Love Island
Amelia has posted snaps of her attending a dance music festival near Leipzig in Germany, enjoying the sunshine in a London park and images of some of her bakes (right)
Priya O’Shea
The 33-year-old, from Leicester, has recently left her job working at a global technology company, who is a women’s fiction writer who has signed up on a mentee scheme with publisher Penguin to write a book.
The Good Indian Girl’s Cooking School is about a group of young British Asian women and their adventures at a cooking school.
In a recent press release about her book, she wrote: ‘There is something fascinating about the impact of growing up with two distinctly different cultures but as an avid reader I struggled to find experiences and characters that I could truly relate to.
She added that she wrote the book to ‘share stories of a uniquely complex generation of British Asians and to play my part in bringing more female Asian characters into mainstream women’s fiction.’
Her Instagram also has a image of her in the Bake Off tent with the caption: ‘Yep. That’s me. You know, in the bake off tent wearing the bake off apron…!!! Chase those dreams folks because sometimes stuff like this happens.’
Priya recently posted an image of Penguin HQ and wrote: ‘If you had told me a year ago (when I’d started writing) that I’d be spending the day at Penguin, surrounded by books and sitting with the CEO of Penguin UK for lunch having a good natter about MY book, I wouldn’t believe you. Not in a million years.
‘I’ve had the most inspiring and exciting day. To say it’s been surreal would be an understatement!
Some of the images on Priya’s Instagram, showing her with friends and during a recent trip to watch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Priya O’Shea recently left her job working at a global technology company. She is a women’s fiction writer who has signed up on a mentee scheme with publisher Penguin to write a book. She recently posted this image of Penguin HQ
David Atherton
The Yorkshire born health advisor, 36, was inspired to take up baking by his mother, and he continued to explore his pastries making abilities when he travelled to Malawi.
The keen cyclist and fitness fanatic, said: ‘I have watched Bake Off from the start, and I have daydreamed so many times walking to work about being in it for such a long time. And when I got accepted it was such a mixture of emotions.
‘You feel like royalty walking into the tent, you have a runner looking after you, bringing you drinks. It’s very different to ordinary life, and a fantastic experience.’
David Atherton (left) who was brought up in Yorkshire, was inspired to take up baking by his mother, and he continued to explore his pastry making abilities when he travelled to Malawi. Print shop administrator Michelle Evans
David Atherton (pictured) is a Bake Off fan who has watched the show from the start. He said: ‘You feel like royalty walking into the tent, you have a runner looking after you, bringing you drinks. It’s very different to ordinary life, and a fantastic experience’
Stephanie Blackwell
A sales assistant who is a fitness and wellness advocate, Stephanie uses her social media to inspire followers to eat healthily.
The qualified personal trainer posts photos of her workouts on Instagram alongside healthy homemade dishes.
She is also a classic car and Formula One fan, often posting pictures from beside the race track, including the Silverstone and Monaco Grand Prix
Her mother Jane Blackwell co-founded SJB Classic Cars, a company which specialises in classic and vintage car servicing, repairs, maintenance, restoration and storage.
Steph works with her mother at the business. The 28-year-old also posts photos promoting mindfulness and positive mental health messages.
She took up baking when her grandfather inspired her thanks to his love of homemade bread. Although it has long been a hobby of hers, she really became serious around three years ago and is largely self-taught.
Stephanie Blackwell (pictured) a sales assistant who is a fitness and wellness advocate, uses her social media to inspire followers to eat healthily
Stephanie’s mother Jane Blackwell co-founded SJB Classic Cars, a company which specialises in classic and vintage car servicing, repairs, maintenance, restoration and storage. Pictured: Steph Blackwell
Steph posted pictures from beside the race track, including this one with her mother Jane Bakewell as the Monaco Grand Prix
Steph with her mother at Silverstone two years ago. Her mother Jane Blackwell co-founded SJB Classic Cars, a company which specialises in classic and vintage car servicing, repairs, maintenance, restoration and storage
Phil Thorne
The father-of-two works early shifts as a HGV driver.
He spends the rest of his day cooking for his wife and two daughters as well as baking treats for his motorcycle meetings with friends.
The 56-year-old regularly updates his 79 Instagram followers with pictures of trips abroad with his family and his latest baking creations.
Father-of-two Phil Thorne works early shifts as a HGV driver, spending the rest of his day cooking for his wife and two daughters as well as baking treats for his motorcycle meetings with friends
Phil, 56, (pictured) regularly updates his Instagram followers with pictures of trips abroad with his family and his latest baking creations
Helena Garcia
Helena, 40, an online project manager from Leeds who was taught to bake by Mormons, has her own costume jewellery shop.
With links posted on her social media accounts, Candy Candy says on its website that it is ‘highly influenced by vintage and antique treasures with an added spooky touch.’
The website adds: ‘Helena’s interest in fashion dates back to her childhood when she would create her own accessories, favouring them to the traditional jewellrey available in shops.
‘After moving to England to finish her university degree Helena worked in various industries before realising that her true passion lay in fashion. She set up a small workshop at her home in Leeds and started designing and creating items of jewellery and hair accessories.
‘Although this costume jewellery was at first intended for her own personal use, after receiving many compliments from friends and even passers by Helena decided to offer her stock to a few local outlets.
‘In Spring 2012, six years after selling those first hair accessories, Helena opened her own shop in the beautifully renovated Corn Exchange in Leeds. This new boutique has drawn amazingly positive feedback from all visitors and shoppers and reflects the quirky, fun and vibrant style that has become the Candy Candy trademark.’
Helena Garcia , 40, (pictured) an online project manager from Leeds who was taught to bake by Mormons, has her own costume jewellery shop
Helena has posted a link on her social media account to her jewellery store in Leeds, called Candy Candy. Its website describes the pieces as ‘highly influenced by vintage and antique treasures with an added spooky touch’
Dan Chambers
A support worker from Rotherham, Dan describes himself on social media as a vegetarian and animal lover.
The 32-year-old tattooed amateur baker, who made his own wedding cake, he has uploaded images on his Instagram of holidays to the US and Venice.
He started baking when he was 21 years old, in a bid to impress his then girlfriend (now wife) with a themed birthday cake.
On his Twitter feed this morning, he simply wrote: ‘Dreaming’ after it was unveiled he would be taking part in the show.
Speaking about signing up for Bake Off 2019 Dan said: ‘I have been trying for a few years now, so finally I am here. It’s absolutely crazy, really amazing, I was so adamant to get on, it’s very hard to describe the feelings, all strange and surreal.
‘And then when you are in the tent it all feels normal pretty quickly.’
The tattooed amateur baker, who made his own wedding cake, he has uploaded images on his Instagram of holidays to the US and Venice. Pictured: Dan in New York
The 32-year-old poses for a photograph of his tattooed chest on one of his Instagram posts
On his Twitter feed this morning, Dan (left) simply wrote: ‘Dreaming’ after it was unveiled he would be taking part in the show. Pictured: One of Dan’s bakes, a cake featuring the cookie monster (right)
Dan eating what he describes as a ‘Mickey pretzel’ on a trip to Disney World in Florida
Michael Chakraverty has worked as a house manager for the Royal Shakespeare Company for just over three and a half years.
He has also acted in a short film spent 11 months as a Les Mills body pump and body combat instructor.
Michael, who graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a first class English literature degree, was repeatedly urged to apply for Bake Off by friends on Instagram.
Photos of his baking creations delight his 453 followers, many of whom said he should be on the show.
Just three days ago, one friend said his cakes were ‘bake off standard’ while another said: ‘Please go on Bake Off.’
Michael Chakraverty (pictured) has worked as a house manager for the Royal Shakespeare Company for just over three and a half years. He has also acted in a short film spent 11 months as a Les Mills body pump and body combat instructor.
On Michael’s Twitter account he posted a promotional shot of him on the show and wrote: ‘well, that escalated quickly’ #GBBO
Rosie Brandreth-Poynter
The animal lover recently celebrated her four-year wedding anniversary with her husband Lewis.
She regularly posts pictures of her beloved dogs and trips away with friends.
The 28-year-old graduated from Cambridge University in 2015 and finds time to bake alongside her work as a veterinary surgeon.
Rosie has two dogs, a cat, horse, chickens, ducks and reptiles.
The 28-year-old graduated from Cambridge University in 2015 and finds time to bake alongside her work as a veterinary surgeon
Animal lover Rosie Brandreth-Poynter , who recently celebrated her four-year wedding anniversary with her husband Lewis, regularly posts pictures of her beloved dogs and trips away with friends
Henry Bird
Henry, 20, a student at Durham University, has been baking since he was just 12-years-old.
Currently studying English Literature, he has been desperate to get on the show since he first watched it in series two.
Like all the other contestants, his Instagram feed is littered with pictures of his bakes, and images of him on his travels, with visits to New York and Paris.
In one image, posted nearly five years ago, he poses with former presenter Sue Perkins.
He said: ‘I have wanted to get into the tent since series two. They filmed it at the end of my road, so I used to see Paul Hollywood when I walked past the tent to go to school in the mornings, so I really got into it.
‘To be inside the actual tent was totally wonderful.’
‘I told Paul that I remembered him filming at Valentine’s for series two and we had a chat about that and shared our memories of that time. So he knew I had come full circle and was now in the tent, and that was pretty special.’
Like all the other contestants, his Instagram feed is littered with pictures of his bakes, and images of him on his travels, with visits to New York and Paris (pictured)
Henry, 20, a student at Durham University, has been baking since he was just 12-years-old. Currently studying English Literature, he has been desperate to get on the show since he first watched it in series two
The series – which usually sees only 12 hopefuls hit the tent to showcase their culinary skills – will be hosted by fan favourites Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig and judged by Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
Sandi and Noel joined the baking show when it moved from BBC to Channel 4 in 2017, where they replaced Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, who had hosted the show for six years. Also deciding not to make the move to the channel was Mary Berry.
Pictured: This year’s contestant’s – (rear left to right) Steph, Henry, Priya, Helena, Alice, Phil, and Rosie, (front left to right) Amelia, David, Michelle, Michael, Dan and Jamie
Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding will return with Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith for this year’s series of Bake Off as the new contestants are revealed
Cut from the same cookie dough: This year’s eagerly awaited series is championing younger cake makers as the line-up is made up of seven people in their 20’s, while the oldest contestant is 56, and the average age inside the tent is 31
They’re back: The series – which usually sees only 12 hopefuls hit the tent to showcase their culinary skills – will be hosted by fan favourites Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig and judged by Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith
GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF 2019: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?
Piece of cake: Geography teacher Alice uses her baking creations to to demonstrate natural events to her student
Sew in love with baking: Amelia is a sportswear designer who worked on her baking skills when she was at university
Age: 28
Occupation: Geography teacher
Why Bake Off? Alice started baking at the age of 15 when a back operation for scoliosis left her unable to do sport. She now uses her cakes in her lessons, demonstrating natural events such as coastal erosion and volcanic activity with her edible creations
Age: 24
Occupation: Fashion designer
Why Bake Off? Born to a Caribbean father and a half-British/half-Polish mother, Amelia honed her baking skills while at university, baking for friends and college fundraising events. She currently lives in London and works as a sportswear designer
The early bird catches the worm: Working early shifts gives Phil plenty of time to practice his baking
PHIL THORNE
Age: 56
Occupation: HGV driver
Why Bake Off? Working early shifts as a driver means he is able to spend the rest of his day cooking for his wife and two daughters as well as baking treats for his motorcycle meetings with friends
The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach: Dan became serious about baking a while trying to impress his no wife, Laura
DAN CHAMBERS
Age: 32
Occupation: Support worker
Why Bake Off? Dan became serious about baking at the age of 21 while trying to impress his girlfriend Laura, who is now his wife, with a themed birthday cake. Dan, who lives with Laura and their three dogs, even made their wedding cake
Mediterranean inspiration: Helena’s Spanish roots will play a big role in her bakes
HELENA GARCIA
Age: 40
Occupation: Online project manager
Why Bake Off? Helena’s introduction to baking came at a young age as she watched her Spanish grandmother in the kitchen, but it was moving to Las Vegas and living with a Mormon family for a school exchange trip that prompted her to start baking herself
On a roll: Jamie was inspired to make a plaited loaf following watching Bake Off
JAMIE FINN
Age: 20
Occupation: Part-time waiter
Why Bake-off? Jamie, who is an identical twin, was taught the basics by his grandmother and his parents, but it was after watching an episode of Bake Off and being inspired to make a plaited loaf that really saw his baking passion take hold
Home grown: David’s mum refused to buy bread from the shop when he was younger leading to him being inspired to bake
DAVID ATHERTON
Age: 36
Occupation: International health adviser
Why Bake Off? Having grown up in rural Yorkshire with a mother who would always bake and refuse to buy a loaf from the shops, Dan was inspired to bake as a child. He became further interested in the art of baking after travelling to where he learnt to build an oven out of an oil drum
Hollywood fan: Henry became interested in baking after seeing Paul Hollywood on the way to school
HENRY BIRD
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Why Bake Off? Henry became interested in all things culinary and baking at the age of 12, as he was intrigued by the Bake Off tent at the end of his road, he shared: ‘I used to see Paul Hollywood when I walked past the tent to go to school in the mornings’
Home is where the heart is: Michelle, who grew up on a farm, has been a lover of baking since she was a child
MICHELLE EVANS -FECCI
Age: 35
Occupation: Print shop administrator
Why Bake Off? Michelle, who grew up on a farm, has been a lover of baking since she was a child, watching her mother whip up traditional bakes. She now bakes almost every other day, whether it is a loaf of bread or a dessert for her husband and teenage son
Zen baker: Priya began baking as a way to de-stress and relax
PRIYA O’SHEA
Age: 34
Occupation: Marketing consultant
Why Bake Off? Priya started to take baking seriously 10 years ago as a means to relax. A wedding present of a stand mixer seven years ago only boosted her passion even more, and she is known to toil for hours into the night baking bread
Mum’s the word: Michael was shown the baking ropes by his mum
MICHAEL CHAKRAVERTY
Age: 26
Occupation: Theatre manager and fitness instructor
Why Bake Off? Michael was taught to bake by his mother using old, handwritten recipes passed down from her grandparents. Born in Newcastle, he was raised in Scone in Scotland from the age of seven and later studied in Edinburgh, and he considers himself Scottish
Night time baker: Vet Rosie likes to bake through the night after work
ROSIE BRANDRETH-POYNTER
Age: 28
Occupation: Veterinary surgeon
Why Bake Off? Rosie’s passion for baking started when she was given a baking book at the age of five, and it has continued into her adult life. When she is not treating sick animals, she can be found baking through the night to unwind
Taking the biscuit: Self -taught Steph took up baking after her grandfather inspired her
STEPH BLACKWELL
Age: 28
Occupation: Shop assistant
Why Bake Off? Steph took up baking when her grandfather inspired her thanks to his love of homemade bread. Although it has long been a hobby of hers, she really became serious around three years ago and is largely self-taught
The new series of The Great British Bake Off will begin on Channel 4 on August 27 at 8pm.
- Do you know any of the GBBO 2019 contestants? Email s.murphy-bates@mailonline.co.uk or call 020 3615 2221