BAKE OFF IS BACK: MEET THIS YEAR'S BAKERS AHEAD OF NEW SERIES

The Great British Bake Off is back, as the nation's most famous tent gets pitched in the grounds of Welford Park once again.

Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas return to lead the latest batch of bakers through 30 brand-new challenges set by judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. The series kicks off with Cake Week and the bakers' first opportunity to impress the judges.

The Great British Bake Off returns Tuesday 13th September at 8pm on Channel 4. Extra Slice follows Friday nights at 8pm.

MEET THE CLASS OF 2022

Abdul, 29

London

Electronics Engineer

Abdul is the middle of three children – and the one who got into trouble for pulling apart the electronic devices around the house! All’s well that ends well, though, and he is now an electronics engineer, dividing his time between London and Cambridge.

Carole, 59

Dorset, Supermarket Cashier

Born and bred in the West Country, Carole lives on a Dorset hillside with her husband, Michael. Her segment on a local radio show is called ‘Compost Carole’; during which she shares her gardening know-how with listeners.

Dawn, 60

Bedfordshire, IT Manager

Dawn lives with her partner Trevor and is mother to three, step-mother to two, and gran/step-gran to four. Describing herself as an artist in and out of the kitchen, Dawn loves the challenge of an illusion cake, favouring whacky and intricate designs that allow her to express her creative talent.

James, 25

Cumbria, Nuclear Scientist

Proud kilt-wearer James grew up in the east-end of Glasgow and moved to England after university. He is a self-proclaimed board- game geek and loves horror films from the 70s and 80s. An avid music fan, reflect in his baking style.

Janusz, 34

East Sussex, Personal Assistant to Head Teacher

Janusz grew up in Poland and moved to the UK 10 years ago. He is now living on the southeast coast with his boyfriend, Simon, and their sausage dog, Nigel. Apart from baking, Janusz’s passions include internet culture, watching drag (he even bought his boyfriend a statue of Ru Paul) and collecting movie props.

Kevin, 33

Lanarkshire, Music Teacher

Surrounded by family and much-loved animals, Kevin is devoted to his nearest and dearest and spends as much time as possible with his wife, Rachel, and his sisters and their partners, laughing, eating and playing board games.

Maisam, 18

Greater Manchester, Student & Sales Assistant

Originally from Libya, Maisam has lived in the UK since she was nine. She speaks five languages (English, Arabic, Amazigh, Spanish and Turkish) aims to make that seven by the time she turns 20. Maisam has a strong creative streak, spending her spare time photographing still-lifes and the world around her.

Maxy, 29

London, Architectural Assistant

Swedish-born Maxy studied fine art and went on to achieve a Masters degree in Architecture, pausing her final qualifications to raise her two daughters, Tyra and Talia. She has DIY-ed every corner of her flat – from laying the flooring and resurfacing the balcony to painting the walls and hanging her own artwork.

Rebs, 23

County Antrim, Masters Student

Rebs spent her childhood in the countryside in Northern Ireland and loves everything to do with Irish culture – she can Irish dance and play the tin whistle. Her earliest baking memory is of being a child, aged only three years old, helping her mum in the kitchen, and of eating her granny’s renowned lemon meringue pies!

Sandro, 30

London, Nanny

Sandro was born in Angola, but fled the Angolan war with his mum when he was two, settling then in London. Passionate about fitness, Sandro is a keen boxer and has a background in ballet and breakdance too! When Sandro was 21 his father passed away and he turned to baking as a form of therapy.

Syabira, 32

London, Cardiovascular Research Associate

Malaysian-born Syabira is one of seven children. She moved to the UK in 2013 to study for her PhD and is now happily settled in London with her boyfriend, Bradley. She loves gaming and often spends evenings playing an online World-War-II simulation game, which she credits with teaching her about leadership in the real world.

Will, 45

London Former Charity Director

One of three children, Will grew up just outside Bristol, before leaving for university in Liverpool. Now he lives in London with his wife, three children and a cat called Tiggy. When he’s not hanging out with his kids, Will loves DIY and carpentry, which indulges his background in architecture, and cooking up new and exciting dishes in the kitchen.

Previous series of The Great British Bake Off are available on All4.