Great British Bake Off 2023: Meet the West Midlands contestants as Alison Hammond stars as host

The Great British Bake Off (GBBO) returns to our tellies today (Tuesday, September 26) and this time there are two contestants from the West Midlands competing in the beloved culinary show.

The greatest baking competition in the UK and the world will also be presented with a new host - our very own Brummie queen Alison Hammond who will begin her new Bake Off journey after being a contestant previously.

Alison, 48, is known for her funny and sassy personality - which has landed her spots on some of the most popular shows in the country like ITV’s This Morning. And from today, we will get to see her unique charm coupled with Noel Fielding’s quirky humor as hosts as they join judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith in the tent to kick start the 14th series.

Alison isn’t the only new member on the cast from Birmingham and the West Midlands on the 14th series as there will be 12 new bakers competing to impress Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, and possibly, get a handshake from Paul. The Great British Bake Off 2023 returns to Channel 4 today (Tuesday, September 26) at 8pm.

West Midlands contestants in GBBO 14th series

1. Nicky, 52

A retired cabin crew and volunteer from the West Midlands, Nicky describes her baking as “like a pair of comfy old slippers; little traditional bakes that evoke fond memories”.

Nicky’s baking journey goes back to her Gran’s kitchen table where, as a little girl, she would roll out pastries and decorate cakes – which she says was as much fun then as all her baking is to her now. She still loves baking pastries along breads and and fun birthday cakes for her niece and grandchildren.

When she’s not baking, Nicky volunteers for a pet-therapy charity (along with her dog, Bracken) and loves to ski, which she has been doing since she was only three years old.

2. Saku, 50

Saku from Herefordshire is an intelligence analyst - who was born in Sri Lanka. She likes to keep the traditional flavours of her heritage at the heart of her baking such as curry spices, which she claims make for the best pie fillings. She doesn’t shy away from liberal sprinklings of cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg in her sweeter bakes.

She didn’t have an oven until she was 18 while in Sri Lanka and turned to baking only when she moved with her husband to the UK in 2003, and particularly when she became a mum. She would create treats for her children’s lunchboxes by replicating the snacks she saw in the supermarket. Saku is self-taught but shouldn’t be taken lightly as she is now a dab hand with a whisk and relishes using her homegrown ingredients from her pride and joy – her vegetable patch.