Cheshire resident announced as Great British Bake Off contestant

The contestants of the 2023 edition of the popular cooking show have been revealed.

Among the twelve bakers announced today (September 19) is 42-year-old Dan from Cheshire.

A civil engineer, Dan’s interest in cooking began when he went travelling in South America in 2007.

According to the Bake Off’s website his particular loves are pies and puddings.

Before he and his wife bought their first home, they lived with his in-laws, during which time his mother-in-law taught him the recipe for a perfect shortcut pastry.

Now, he owns more than 300 cookbooks and will be hoping they come in handy when the Bake Off returns to TV screens on Tuesday (September 26).

Outside of baking, Dan is known to love playing football with his two young sons, as well as working out in the gym and foraging for edible treats in the countryside near his home.

Dan and the other Bake Off contestants (Image: Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/Channel 4/PA Wire)

In the tent Dan will be up against the show’s first ever deaf contestant, 27-year-old Tasha who will be joined by her British sign language interpreter, Daryl.

Tasha said: “Seeing Daryl up at the front and feeling fully part of the show was a really special moment.

“I couldn’t have done it without him and without the dedication from the show ensuring I had the same access as the other bakers.”

The 2023 Bake Off will be hosted by Noel Fielding and Allison Hammond, who replaces Matt Lucas.

Also among the contestants is Sri Lankan-born intelligence analyst Saku, 50; vegetable grower and delivery driver Abbi, 27, from Cumbria; north London deli and grocery manager Amos, 43; east London PA Cristy, 33; and Nicky, 52, a retired cabin crew member from the West Midlands.

Cristy, a mother of four, said: “Oh Alison and Noel were one of the best parts about the tent, they are both so lovely and funny. Also seeing them bounce off each other and having a laugh all the time. They are the perfect duo.”

Dan owns more than 300 cookbooks (Image: Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/Channel 4/PA Wire)

Also competing is Dana, 25, a database administrator from Essex, Josh, 27, from Leicestershire; chartered accountant Keith, 60, from Hampshire; Matt, 28, a Cambridgeshire PE and science teacher, and student Rowan, 21.

Rowan, the youngest baker in the tent, said: “After watching each series without fail, I knew that one of my life goals would be to bake in that tent.

“Getting the call to say I had achieved that dream, I did the only thing appropriate, I slid to the floor, screamed down the phone and ran to the shops for a bottle of prosecco, all before getting back to join the group wash-up in my uni house. Classy.”