The Great British Bake Off 2025 cast has been announced, so grab your rolling pins and work on your handshake skill
Yes, autumn signals the return of the UK’s fave comfort show, setting the tone for a season full of cosy, cinnamon-packed treats. In a year that’s been divisive to say the least, we can be rest assured that there’s one that unites all of us Brits when it’s grey and miserable outside — a cracking bake.
And ol’ blue eyes Paul Hollywood himself says this year is set to be one of the best yet: "I think this is an exceptional year," he said ahead of the series launch. "I think the standard of the baking has been phenomenal. I was really shocked — it was unbelievable. Proper borderline-professional from the off."
Aside from all the nibbles, it’s the wholesome relationships (plus occasional drama!) between the Bake Off contestants that we’re really tuning in for. Who can forget ‘Bingate’, when we witnessed Iain Watters' Baked Alaska being tossed into the bin? Or Ruby Tandoh’s three-time star baker award?
The Great British Bake Off 2025 cast promises a tent packed with 12 characters who we can’t wait to meet on screen.
The iconic white tent is back to see contestants through the inevitable cake chaos and bread week breakdowns.
The Great British Bake Off 2025 cast in full:
Age: 38
From: London
Job: Senior Systems Architect
If one person isn’t going to get stressed by time limits in the tent, it’s Aaron. The self-confessed ‘King of Hobbies’ cycles, speaks French, lifts weights, is studying for a Master’s in Computer Science and Data Anatlytics and, between all of that, somehow also makes time to bake excellent French patisserie for his boyfriend, Anthony. Having moved from Manchester to London two years ago, he’s inspired by fusion cuisine and is known to inject Caribbean flair and Asian flavour into his bakes.
Age: 30
From: South Yorkshire
Job: Analytical Research and Development Scientist
An analyst both in and out of the kitchen, Hassan approaches his bakes with logic and science. He has a special place in his heart for sweet treats, inspired by his Pakistani heritage. Expect his personal favourites praline and nut-based flavours in challenges where he’s allowed to get creative. Outside the lab and the kitchen, he loves going to the gym, gaming and hanging out with friends.
Age: 29
From: Belfast
Job: Software Engineer
Self-proclaimed ‘Yeastie Boy’ Iain loves to channel his love of music into his bakes and has been known to immortalise album cover art on the crusts of his loaves. Based in Belfast with his girlfriend Dervla and their cat, Viktor, Iain loves to utilise pickled, fermented and aged fruit and veg into his bakes to create interesting, elevated flavours. Major points for his triumphant mullet, too.
Age: 23
From: London
Job: Medical Student
Born and raised in Edinburgh, medical student Jasmine has been baking since she was a child, making bakes at family get-togethers during holidays in the Scottish Highlands. She loves to get her hands on fresh, seasonal ingredients and whip them into stunning flavour combinations. Now based in London, she loves sea swimming, running half marathons or playing hockey for her university team.
Jessika
Age: 32
From: London
Job: Service Designer
We’re hoping for some theatrics in the tent from Cornish baker Jessika. Not only is she a gymnast, she’s also a roller-skating Drag King and cyclist. When she finds time to bake, she loves to fuse daring flavours like salted mango caramel and cardamom, or Jerusalem artichoke caramel with a dark chocolate mousse. She’s serious bestie goals, spending months gathering info about her friends’ tastes in cakes before surprising them with a personalised bake. How sweet (pardon the pun).
Leighton
Age: 59
From: Surrey
Job: Software Delivery Manager
Living in Surrey with his Californian husband Eric and their Irish Terrier, Cilla, Leighton isn’t a man who plays by the rules — ignoring anyone who told him that ‘boys don’t bake’ when he was young. Good thing he did because this year we’ll get to enjoy him playing with traditional British, Welsh (he’s originally from Swansea) and American flavours. Expect remixed favourites like Victoria Sponge with key lime pie filling and Welsh cakes with peanut butter. Our tastebuds are positively watering.
Lesley
Age: 59
From: Kent
Job: Hairdresser
A hairdresser from Kent, Lesley has been thrilling her clients with slices of homemade cake for the last 45 years. She’s been baking since aged 10, inspired by her Nanny Mable and Auntie Joan who taught her the basics. To Lesley, baking is all about comfort and giving people a smile with a cuppa and nibble of her latest creation. But don’t mark her down as a traditionalist — her bakes are fun, modern and extra delicious. Enjoying her baking are her partner Mark and two dogs, Norman and Marley.
Nadia
Age: 41
From: Liverpool
Job: Hairdresser
We can rely on Liverpudlian Nadia to bring a heavy dose of Scouse humour and spirit to this year’s The Great British Bake Off cast. Her Indian and Italian heritage — her dad is an Italian chef — combines in her creative twists on classic bakes. Aside from her love for baking, she’s a hairdresser and former personal trainer, channelling her love for movement with regular kitchen dance breaks. For her, baking is all about heart, heritage and most of all, joy.
Nataliia
Age: 32
From: East Yorkshire
Job: Office Assistant
Since moving to the UK four years ago with her husband Harry just before the war broke out, Nataliia has discovered a love for British bakes with flavours inspired by her roots, like honey, poppy seeds and nutmeg and cinnamon. Their family, including their three-year-old daughter, Francesca, and Ukranian rescue dog, Aria, have since joined her in the UK and they all live in rural East Yorkshire, enjoying countryside walks in their free time.
Pui Man
Age: 51
From: Essex
Job: Bridal Designer
Born in Hong Kong, Pui Man lives in Essex with her husband and two children where she discovered her love for baking during lockdown. She gives the same attention to detail and creativity to her bakes as she does wedding dresses that she designs as her role as a bridal designer. She’s a busy bee, making time between family and work to volunteer three evenings a week, collecting surplus food from supermarkets to distribute within her community, as well as knitting and catching up with friends at the pub.
Toby
Age: 29
From: Warwickshire
Job: Business Development Executive
Toby channels his love for health and wellness — he practises Brazilian Ju Jitsu and works at a fitness start-up — into his bakes, adopting a stripped-back, nutritious approach. He loves working with bread, as well as leaning into classic British recipes and flavours that celebrate seasonal ingredients. He’s a country boy at heart, growing up in the seaside town of Sidmouth. He now lives in Warwickshire with his girlfriend Syd and their rescue dog, Bex.
Tom
Age: 31
From: London
Job: Creative Entrepreneur
When you grow up in a food-obsessed family foraging for mushrooms and cooking roasts together, it’d be hard not to turn out an amazing baker. Tom’s taken that headstart with food and turned it into a passion for baking, favouring classics like scones and flapjacks. Growing up, he worried that his baking hobby might out him — now, he’s a fully fledged member of two queer sports teams and has a boyfriend of three years. We can’t wait to see him bring his creative flair to the tent.
