32 brilliant Bake Off contestants whose lives changed forever

The best bakers: their next steps

Nerve-racking technical challenges, showstopping creations and the famous white tent – there’s nothing quite like The Great British Bake Off. As Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith return to our screens to judge this year's much-anticipated series 15, joined by co-hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, we look back at the previous contestants and winners to discover what they’re up to now.

Read on to find out what your favourite former Bake Off contestants, from the latest winner to the first, are cooking up these days. 

Matty Edgell: winner, 2023

Winning over viewers with his adorable tribute to his dog Marty, and with a couple of Hollywood handshakes under his belt, Matty took home the crown in 2023. A former PE and science teacher, he’s since left his job and now shares recipes across his social media channels. Matty’s also hoping to release a cookbook soon. His most challenging bake since the show has been his own wedding cake – he made a beautiful three-tiered creation in summer 2024.

Dan Hunter: finalist, 2023

Dan quickly impressed the judges, becoming the first Star Baker of series 14 with his life-like dedication to his beloved dog Bruno. The talented baker made it to the final and has since gone on to open his own online bakery. Fans can sample his signature brown butter chocolate chip cookies, dark chocolate brownies and showstopping rhubarb and custard cake, as well as try their hand at baking at one of his in-person classes.

Josh Smalley: finalist, 2023

Chemist by trade, baking sensation by night, Josh proved he had what it takes after he impressed the judges in biscuit week, serving up a fully stacked burger and fries creation. Propelled by a handshake from Hollywood he made his way into the final, before just losing out to Matty Edgell. Josh continues to combine science with food, heading up the Science Kitchen at the University of Leicester. He also became the first Science Champion at the educational charity Salters' Institute.

Syabira Yusoff: winner, 2022

Taking inspiration from her Malaysian heritage, cardiovascular scientist Syabira surprised and delighted the judges with her unusual flavour combinations and imaginative bakes, including a watermelon steamed pudding and Piña Colada custard gâteau. She was crowned Star Baker on three consecutive occasions during series 13, and went on to win the competition overall. She's still baking up a storm at home, and has become a regular at food festivals.

Giuseppe Dell'Anno: winner, 2021

The Italian-born baker impressed the judges with his intricate and flavour-packed bakes over the course of series 12. Giuseppe, an engineer whose father was a professional chef, used his ingenuity throughout the series to create stunning pieces like his Leaning Tower of Pisa cake. Although the competition was stiff, Giuseppe's Mad Hatter's Tea Party showstopper was enough to secure him the trophy. His most recent book, Giuseppe's Easy Bakes, was released in November 2023, and he also hosts regular baking classes.

Jürgen Krauss: semi-finalist, 2021

German software engineer and trombone player Jürgen was one of Bake Off’s most memorable contestants, regularly wowing the judges with his technically precise, traditional German bakes. With three Star Baker badges under his belt, Jürgen was a favourite to win until his shock elimination during the semi-finals. It caused such a scandal, Ofcom received 115 viewer complaints. His long-awaited debut cookbook, The German Baking Book, was published in summer 2023.

Peter Sawkins: winner, 2020

The first Scottish baker to take the Bake Off crown, Peter was also the youngest contestant ever to win the show. Following his victory, Peter continued to study accounting and finance at the University of Edinburgh. However, he still found the time to publish his debut cookbook, Peter Bakes, before going on to release his second, Peter's Baking Party, in 2023.

Laura Adlington: finalist, 2020

Laura was one of the standout stars from series 11, with viewers falling in love with her sense of humour and positive outlook (as well as her messy baking). Since then, she’s become a plus-size fashion influencer and body positivity advocate, with a loyal following on social media. She hosts an award-winning podcast, Go Love Yourself, and released her debut book, Diet Starts Monday, in January 2024.

David Atherton: winner, 2019

David Atherton won the Bake Off final in 2019, after creating an incredible chocolate cake and Stilton soufflé. Since then, the bread-baking superstar has released multiple cookbooks. His debut cookbook, My First Cook Book, was aimed at children, while Good to Eat was aimed at adults and centred around healthy eating. Like many GBBO champions before him, the former health advisor also regularly writes for British newspaper The Guardian. These days, he co-hosts the baking and pop culture podcast Sticky Bun Boys with fellow former Bake Off contestant Michael Chakraverty.

Rahul Mandal: winner, 2018

The winner of Bake Off 2018, Rahul Mandal also won the nation’s hearts with his modest character and star bakes. Since taking the season nine crown, the researcher has returned to his job at the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at the University of Sheffield. However, he still keeps fans updated on Instagram with his most recent culinary creations, and his debut book, Showstopping Cakes, came out in 2022.

Kim-Joy Hewlett: finalist, 2018

Series nine finalist Kim-Joy captivated viewers with her sparkling personality and string of colourful bakes. Since the show, she's released several cookbooks and written for The Guardian newspaper. The baker's past projects include releasing a card game (Kim Joy's Magic Bakery), penning a graphic novel and masterminding the cookbook Bake Me a Cat, a collection of showstopping, feline-themed recipes.

Ruby Bhogal: finalist, 2018

Despite her masterpiece toppling over during one of the GBBO challenges, Network Rail project manager Ruby Bhogal sailed all the way to the 2018 final with her relaxed attitude to baking. Scooping a place as a runner-up opened up opportunities for her; since the competition she's regularly appeared on TV shows and released her debut cookbook, One Bake, Two Ways.

Sophie Faldo: winner, 2017

GBBO 2017 winner Sophie Faldo surprised the judges with her incredible flavour combinations and steely eyed determination. After winning the contest, Sophie returned to her job as an army officer but not before setting up her own business, Sophie Faldo Couture Cakes, which makes bespoke cakes for weddings. She returned to the famous tent and was crowned winner of The Great Christmas Bake Off in 2023.

Steven Carter-Bailey: finalist, 2017

One of the finalists from GBBO 2017, Steven was a strong contender, being named Star Baker three times and receiving several Hollywood Handshakes along the way. Since Bake Off, Steven has appeared on a number of TV shows including ITV News London, where he explored London’s diverse bakeries, and The Great New Year Bake Off 2019, which he won.

Liam Charles: contestant, 2017

Liam quickly became a fan favourite thanks to his witty one-liners and positive attitude. Since participating in Bake Off's eighth series, the London-born chef has released two cookbooks, Cheeky Treats and Second Helpings. Meanwhile, his bubbly personality has landed him prime-time TV presenting roles including Bake Off: The Professionals, as well as his own TV show, Liam Bakes. He's also a judge on Junior Bake Off.

Candice Brown: winner, 2016

Candice Brown – whose cheeky attitude and creative cakes (remember her marzipan peacock?) often left Paul Hollywood speechless – won series seven after wowing the judges with a royal picnic dubbed a 'humdinger of a showstopper'. Since the 2016 Bake Off final, the former teacher has appeared at food festivals and on TV and she's published two cookbooks; her latest, Happy Cooking, focuses on comfort food to soothe the soul. Candice also co-owns The Green Man pub in Milton Keynes.

Andrew Smyth: finalist, 2016

A finalist in 2016, Andrew Smyth was loved for his lilting Irish accent and precise bakes. After the competition ended, the Cambridge graduate created an edible jet engine for Prince William when he visited Rolls-Royce, the GBBO star's workplace. Andrew now splits his time between aerospace research, baking and presenting. In 2021, he was one of the executive producers on Netflix baking competition Baking Impossible, a series based around cakes and engineering, and was also a judge on the show.

Jane Beedle: finalist, 2016

Another 2016 finalist, garden designer Jane Beedle was regularly complimented by the judges for her technical expertise. Nowadays, you'll find her touring UK food festivals, baking delicious fruity pies and cakes (including her favourite lemon drizzle) and keeping her followers up to date on Instagram.

Val Stones: contestant, 2016

Val Stones, a contestant in 2016, was loved for her quirky techniques, like 'listening' to cakes – but unfortunately, she was eliminated in week five after a Bakewell tart disaster. Since the show, Val has published a book called The Cake Whisperer, which promises to help you listen to what your bakes are telling you. In 2022, she reunited with Paul Hollywood once more as they voiced characters in the animated film DC League of Super-Pets.

Nadiya Hussain: winner, 2015

Nadiya Hussain’s career took off when she won the 2015 series of Bake Off. Since the competition, she's appeared on numerous TV shows, including travelogue The Chronicles of Nadiya, penned nine bestselling cookbooks – her latest is called Cook Once, Eat Twice – and has written for The Times' Saturday magazine supplement. She created an orange drizzle cake for the Queen’s 90th birthday and is a published novelist too. In 2020, she received an MBE for services to broadcasting and the culinary arts.

Tamal Ray: finalist, 2015

Tamal Ray came close to claiming the crown in series six, but was pipped to the post by Nadiya Hussain. Since the show ended, Tamal has continued to work as a doctor for the NHS, presented on TV show Live Well For Longer and contributed recipes to The Guardian newspaper's food magazine.

Ian Cumming: finalist, 2015

Photographer and family man Ian was a runner-up in 2015. Since GBBO, he has continued to travel the world taking pictures – you can follow him on Instagram to see some of his beautiful snaps – and has written a feature about baking bread in an Icelandic volcano for The Telegraph newspaper.

Nancy Birtwhistle: winner, 2014

Nancy Birtwhistle is best remembered for her stunning windmill cake. Since winning series five in 2014, the Hull-born retiree has demonstrated at food festivals, appeared on TV, taught in schools, appeared as an after-dinner speaker and acted as a cake judge. Nancy also baked a cake for British soap opera EastEnders’ 30th birthday and published a cookbook, Sizzle and Drizzle, which has hints and tips on cleaning and eco-friendly hacks alongside recipes.

Luis Troyano: finalist, 2014

Luis Troyano made it to the final of the fifth series of GBBO with mouth-watering desserts like his tequila slammer cheesecake and cherry brandy gâteau. In 2015, he released the cookbook Bake it Great so fans could try their hand at his creations. Sadly, Luis passed away in October 2020 following a battle with oesophageal cancer.

Chetna Makan: semi-finalist, 2014

Chetna wowed the judges with her creative flavour combinations and her spice-infused bakes earned her a place in the Bake Off semi-final in 2014. Since then, it seems like she's hardly stopped, releasing eight cookbooks, launching a popular YouTube channel and showcasing her own spin on Indian dishes on her popular Instagram account.

Frances Quinn: winner, 2013

In 2013, Frances Quinn beat Kimberley Wilson and Ruby Tandoh to win series four of Bake Off thanks to edible masterpieces like her Barbara Hepworth shortbread sculptures, chocolate charcoal briquettes and a world record–breaking giant Jaffa Cake. She has also published a cookbook, Quintessential Baking.

Ruby Tandoh: finalist, 2013

Being runner-up to Frances Quinn in series four didn’t stop Ruby Tandoh from carving out one of the most successful careers of any of GBBO's contestants. As well as penning cookbooks Crumb: The Baking Book and Flavour: Eat What You Love, Ruby has also written about body image, sexuality and feminism in her book Eat Up: Appetite and Eating What You Want. Her most recent cookbook, Cook As You Are, has been praised as one of the most inclusive cookbooks out there.

John Whaite: winner, 2012

John Whaite won the GBBO trophy in 2012 and published his first book, John Whaite Bakes: Recipes for Every Day and Every Mood, in 2013. John went on to open the (now closed) Barn Kitchen Baking School and set up another baking business called Ruff Puff Brownies. He's appeared as a presenter and judge on ITV's daytime cookery competition Chopping Block, published four more cookery books, came second on Strictly Come Dancing and was a regular on daytime TV show Steph's Packed Lunch.

James Morton: finalist, 2012

Although 2012 finalist James Morton stuck to his original plan of going into medicine – he currently works as a doctor – he has also achieved fame as a baker and food writer. His books include Big Book of Bread (about breadmaking), Brew (about making beer) and Shetland, which explores life on the Scottish island.

Jo Wheatley: winner, 2011

After winning series two in 2011, Jo Wheatley went on to pen two books: A Passion for Baking and Home Baking. She has also written for magazines and appeared on TV shows like The One Show and This Morning. She also ran a cookery school hosted from her home, which was touted as one of the best baking schools in the UK. The busy chef also likes to travel and keeps her followers up to date through Instagram.

Johnny Shepherd: contestant, 2010

Johnny Shepherd may not have reached the final in series one, but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming a baking success. As well as penning his book Puddings, he runs The Pudding Stop, a quaint bakery in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Here you can buy a huge range of delicious brownies, cronuts and custard tarts.

Edd Kimber: winner, 2010

Edd Kimber, known as 'The Boy Who Bakes', won the very first series of GBBO, which aired in 2010. He promptly ditched his job and has since gone on to forge a successful career as a food writer and TV personality, writing several cookbooks along the way. Ed’s worked at Raymond Blanc’s prestigious restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons and had a stint as resident baker on The Alan Titchmarsh Show. His latest project, a cookbook called Small Batch Cookies, was released in 2024.

Now discover Nadiya Hussain’s best-ever recipes