Great British Bake Off 2023 line up: Meet the contestants

Age: 52

Occupation: West Midlands

Hometown: Retired cabin crew member

On her experience in the tent: "Seeing the big white tent for the first time felt like going to see a show on Broadway. It was something I had dreamt about for a very long time but thought that it would never become a reality. I was like a kid in a sweet shop as I walked towards my work station. I couldn’t wait to open every drawer and door to explore what was inside."

Age: 25

Occupation: Database administrator

Hometown: Essex

On her experience in the tent: "Walking into the tent for the first time, the 16-year-old me was doing flips. [A highlight was] of course talking to Alison Hammond, forget about Paul Hollywood, it was all about the queen!”

Age: 27

Occupation: Veg grower and delivery driver

Hometown: Cumbria

On her experience in the tent: "I was super impressed and amazed by how many crew can fit into the tent and yet are never in shot once the series is edited together — the central aisle between the benches was basically full of crew the whole time.

“It was really nice because at any moment you could look up and ask for another spatula and someone would produce one from their back pocket in under 20 seconds. I could do with a system like that at home.”

Age: 33

Occupation: Mum and PA

Hometown: East London

On her experience in the tent: "Alison and Noel were one of the best parts about the tent they are both so lovely and funny. Seeing them bounce off each other and having a laugh all the time... They are the perfect duo."

Age: 42

Occupation: Civil engineer

Hometown: Cheshire

On his experience in the tent: "[The hosts] were like mates straight away, just started conversations like we’ve always known each other. Noel did his textbook question, ‘Are you going to win it?!’ and Alison chatted about our recently departed dog.”

Age: 60

Occupation: Chartered accountant

Hometown: Hampshire

On his experience in the tent: "Alison is like a force of nature and it was evident that she loved being in the tent and being part of the Bake Off team. Noel is far more laid back, very cool, and it is obvious that he feels the same but in a more understated way.”

Age: 27

Occupation: Participation officer

Hometown: Bristol

On her experience in the tent: We all knew Alison had arrived before we even saw her because everyone could hear her laughing. She came armed with welcome snacks for the bakers’ green room and gave us motivational speeches – we loved her immediately."

Age: 27

Occupation: Post-doctoral research associate

Hometown: Leicestershire

Where he was when he found out he was going on the show: "I remember being in the chemistry lab last thing on a Friday when I received the call confirming my place in the famous tent. I was in complete shock and had to sit down on a stool, just lost for words.

“So many emotions going through my head; excitement of the prospect of baking in the tent, buzzing as I couldn’t wait to tell my brother and parents the news, nervous that I was going to be baking for Paul and Prue, and a sense of accomplishment that I had managed to make it through and do my Nan proud – as she was a big inspiration for entering again this year."

Age: 28

Occupation: PE and science teacher

Hometown: Cambridge

On what type of pastry he’d be: “I would probably be a rough puff, it doesn’t require much patience to make!”

Age: 50

Occupation: Intelligence analyst

Hometown: Hertfordshire

On her strengths and weaknesses: "I think the passion to learn new things, creativity and never give up are my main strengths. I am a messy baker and I am hard on myself when bakes go wrong, which I think are my weaknesses.”