From stuntwoman to blacksmith, meet the bakers set for a slice of TV stardom

THE TRAINEE STUNTWOMAN

Sophie, 33. Graduated in psychology before joining the Army. Now training to be a stuntwoman. Discovered her baking prowess when making a friend’s birthday cake.

THE GRANDMOTHER

Flo, 71. Former sausage factory worker. This year’s oldest contestant, she was encouraged to enter by her son.

THE BAKING BANKER

James, 46. The father of two was taught to bake by his father and grows his own fruit and vegetables on his allotment in Essex.

THE CAKE BOY

Liam, 19. From North London. Youngest of this year’s bakers, he is known as The Cake Boy among his university friends.

THE BLACKSMITH

Kate, 29. Health and safety inspector whose hobbies include blacksmithing, furniture restoring and growing vegetables.

THE SCIENTIST

Yan, 46. Born in Hong Kong. A biomedical scientist for the NHS, she has baked for ten years. Lives with wife Marian and their cat.

THE MOTHER’S PRIDE

Steven, 34. Marketing executive. Inspired to bake by his mother – still his baking mentor – and lost 5st thanks to his home cooking.

CANCER SURVIVOR

Chris, 50. Married software developer. Wants to inspire others with cancer. Likes quirky flavour combinations.

THE PERFECTIONIST

Stacey, 42. Former teacher and a mother of three. Incorporates her Jewish heritage into her baking. Selfconfessed precisionist.

THE SIBERIAN WIFE

Julia, 32. Russian. Met her British husband on holiday in Turkey aged 17. Has spent three years learning British baking techniques.

COMPUTER WHIZZ

Peter, 52. Grew up in Nigeria. Married with two children. Bakes his own bread as he blames shop-bought for making him ill.

THE SPORTS-MAD ARCHITECT

Tom, 29. Taught to bake by his mum, a cookery teacher. Lives in Edinburgh with partner David. Would be first Scots winner.