The Great British Bake Off: Meet the new contestants

L-R: Steven, Tom, Julia, Liam, Kate, Sophie, Stacey, Peter, Flo, James, Yan and Chris

Break out the bunting - The Great British Bake Off is back.

Twelve contestants are taking to the tent for the first time in the launch episode, which was shown on Channel 4 on Tuesday night.

It's the first time GBBO is being broadcast on the channel, having previously been on the BBC since its inception.

As well as the bakers competing to win the show, there are new presenters in the form of Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding and a new judge - Prue Leith.

Paul Hollywood is the only original member of the gang to return.

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So who are the dozen hoping to dazzle with their dough and show prowess with their pastry?

Chris

Age: 50

From: Bristol

A software developer, cancer survivor and budding sailor, Chris became a Bake Off fan while recovering in hospital.

He's interested in the science behind baking and is nicknamed Heston Blumenthal by his friends thanks to his quirky flavour combinations.

Flo

Age: 71

From: Merseyside

The oldest Bake Off contestant to date used to work in a sausage factory, which is where she met her late husband Richard.

When he died two years ago, she was encouraged to take up baking again for both family members and her son Stephen's restaurant.

Outside of the kitchen, she enjoys singing karaoke and having the occasional boogie with friends.

James

Age: 46

From: Essex

James describes himself as a bald, baking banker with a bad back and says he's always up for a challenge.

He trained as a port diver for the Royal Navy Reserves and uses the fruit and veg he grows on his allotment in his bakes.

James, who was taught to bake by his dad more than 40 years ago, is a father himself to two sons. He and his wife Ann also have three chickens, called Sparkles, Superman and Jeff.

Julia

Age: 21

From: West Sussex

Originally from Kemerovo in Siberia, Julia moved to the UK three years ago to live with her British husband Matt.

She taught herself to bake at a young age and gave up her job when she won a place in the tent so she could commit all her time to the show.

Kate

Age: 29

From: Merseyside

As well as being a health and safety inspector, a blacksmith, a furniture restorer and a yoga enthusiast, Kate is a self-taught baker with a passion for old-fashioned techniques.

She started to bake two years ago when she started growing her own vegetables and describes being inside the GBBO tent as a life-changing experience.

Liam

Age: 19

From: London

Known among his friends as the cake boy, Liam was born in Hackney in north London and is studying drama at university.

He discovered his passion for baking four years ago and is keen to help make baking more acceptable among his peers.

Peter

Age: 52

From: Essex

Peter was born in Brixton in south London, moved to Nigeria when he was seven and moved back to the UK when he was 24.

Now an IT programme manager, he lives a health-conscious life in Essex with his wife Tito and their two children.

Peter started making his own bread eight years ago and has never looked back. When not baking, he enjoys badminton, running, spinning and chess.

Sophie

Age: 33

From: Surrey

A psychology graduate, former Royal Artillery officer and trainee stuntwoman, Sophie discovered she had a talent in the kitchen after volunteering to make a friend's birthday cake.

When not baking, she enjoys track cycling, rowing and teaching military boot camps.

Stacey

Age: 42

From: Hertfordshire

Former school teacher Stacey likes to express her Jewish heritage through her cooking.

As a child she helped her grandmother make bread and butter pudding. Now married with three young sons, she continues the tradition by making a home-made challah loaf for dinner every Friday.

Steven

Age: 34

From: Hertfordshire

Steven was taught the basics of baking by his mother Judi 25 years ago and now cooks and bakes everything he eats.

He has a background in marketing but is considering giving it up to focus on baking full-time.

Tom

Age: 29

From: Edinburgh

Architect Tom was taught to bake by his mother June and can regularly be found at home cooking for his partner David.

He loves being outside as well, with other interests including rugby, triathlons, skiing, horse riding, hiking and fresh water swimming.

Yan

Age: 46

From: London

Born in Hong Kong, Yan moved to the UK when she was two and eventually trained as a biomedical scientist.

She turned her attention to baking 10 years ago to fill in the time between her shifts as a molecular biologist for the NHS.

The Great British Bake Off begins on Channel 4 on Tuesday 29 August at 20:00 BST.

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