Meet the stars of Great British Bake Off 2022

The hugely popular show is poised to return with a thirteenth series on September 13, two weeks after Channel 4 revealed their most internationally diverse line-up to date.

Launching at 8:00pm, it will see a collection of 12 amateur bakers facing off in a desperate bid to win Paul Hollywood’s affirmation and become winner. 

And its unusual collection of contestants are likely to keep viewers entertained over the coming weeks, with each coming from wildly contrasting ethnic, professional and social backgrounds.   

As well as the United Kingdom, this years amateur bakers have family ties in countries including Saudi Arabia, Poland, Libya and Sweden. 

They also come with a range of different vocational skills, including  nuclear science, musical education, male nannying and supermarket work. 

The group will also encompass a broad range of ages, with the youngest an 18-year-old bilingual student who speaks five languages and the oldest coming in at 60. 

Diversity will also be reflected in this year’s baking specialties, among them Malaysian style Cornish pasties and ‘child friendly horror’ cake decorators. 

And based on their Instagram accounts, they are more than ready fort the forthcoming show, with the contestants giving fans an insight into their lives across social media. 

Rebecca, 23, Northern Ireland 

Leading the charge with a slew of glamorous snaps was 23-year-old Rebecca, a masters student from County Antrim. The talented baker is also an animal lover, to the extent that she took her cat Branston to prom. 

Rebecca shared a sweet Instagram snap cuddling up to her feline date – who looked fetching in a bow tie – while she was clad in a striking white lace gown. 

The student is also a fan of travel, as evident in her slew of holiday snaps, and enjoys the odd night out and glass of pinot grigio. 

Janusz, 34, Poland 

Another contestant who seems to be the life and soul of the party is Janusz – and if it’s a fancy dress party then you’ll see him rock up dressed as a whoopie cushion! 

The Polish baker, 34, is a Personal Assistant from East Sussex, who isn’t afraid to poke fun at himself if his fun loving social media feed is anything to go by! 

Janusz is a fan of pop culture and the reality star icon Gemma Collins, delighting his friends when he unveiled his GC-hristmas jumper.  

Sandro, 30, London

Self-confessed ‘Baking Machine’ Sandro, 30, seems to divide his time equally between the gym and the kitchen, with the handsome chef showing off his muscles in a tank top while whipping up a selection of treats. 

The nanny already has a strong social media presence, boasting thousands of followers keen to see his bakes before it was announced he was appearing on the Channel 4 show.

Discussing the experience, he penned: ‘Thank you @britishbakeoff for the most amazing experience with most amazing people, can’t wait to watch it back.’

Maisam, 18, Libya  

Libyan student and sales assistant Maisam is the youngest of this year’s contestants at the age of 18 and revealed on her Instagram that she had applied for Bake Off after friends complimented her many desserts. 

She’s been baking since she was 13 and also enjoys photography in her spare time, focusing on still lives.  

Maisam is a talented linguist as well as baker and speaks five languages – English, Arabic, Amazigh, Spanish and Turkish

James, 25, Cumbria

Another active Instagram user is nuclear scientist James, 25, who has already dubbed himself ‘the really annoying one’ on Bake Off, despite the series not yet airing. 

He clearly has a good sense of humour, sharing a snap of himself getting ready for ‘games night’ in a hospital gown and fake baby bump. 

The nuclear scientist loves the technical side of baking and his favourite flavours are autumnal, like mixed spice, apples and caramel. 

Maxy, 29, Sweden  

Architectural assistant Maxy, 29, is a fan of a selfie and holidaying with friends, as well as being a doting mother to her two daughters. 

Maxy was born in Sweden and uses her Scandinavian upbringing in her creations, with her bakes including lots of cinnamon and saffron.

She began baking five years ago but her arty and creative personality made her a natural in the kitchen.

Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are of course back for the new series as well as hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding. 

Taking to the show’s official Twitter page earlier this week the foursome posed  for a sunny snap as they announced the return of the 13th series. 

They captioned the snap: ‘In knead of some good news? Here’s a little something… The Great British Bake Off is back on your screens on Tuesday 13th September at 8pm!’. 

This year’s series will kick off with a total of 12 contestants, who, after 10 weeks of fierce competition, will be whittled down to just three talented bakers. 

Channel 4 shared a video of the contestants to their official Twitter page on Thursday with excited fans already guessing the winner. 

In the video the 12 hopefuls pose together as they were welcomed to the ‘Class of 2022’. 

One fan wrote: ‘Team James’ while one more added: ‘Prediction… Janusz and Rebs to do very well’. 

Another commented: ‘So excited to get to know our new Bake Off class!’ while another said: ‘I’m in love with Carol’s hair’. 

Last year’s final saw almost 7million viewers watch Giuseppe Dell’Anno be crowned as winning baker as he triumphed over fellow contestants Crystelle Pereira, 26, and Chigs Parmar, 40, in arguably the closest ever final of the Channel 4 show.

The chief engineer, who now lives in Bristol, became the first Italian winner after impressing the judges with his consistency and professionalism throughout the competition.

The 2021 Bake Off coronation was watched by the show’s crew, who formed a ‘bubble’ in Down Hall Hotel near Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, throughout the duration of filming.

Giuseppe said he would love to ‘crystallise my dad and family’s heritage’ in a cookery book of Italian baking that would draw from his family and their love for baking.

‘It runs through our blood,’ he said. ‘It would be good to know that there would be a cookbook out there for posterity for the Dell’Anno family.’

Bake Off has extended its licence with Channel 4 and Love Productions for a further three years until 2024.

Last year’s final saw almost 7 million viewers watch Giuseppe Dell’Anno be crowned as winning baker of the series.