Series 6 of the Great British Bake Off kicks off on Wednesday 5th August 2015, with the show poised to continue with its current recipe for success - plenty of ballsy contestants, the strict judging and oddly-compelling chemistry of Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, the abstract presenting of comedy duo, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, and the occasional cake or custard controversy. Last year’s final attracted an audience of over 13 million, the largest audience for any entertainment programme during 2014, and showed the popularity of this contest is not set to disappear anytime soon.
The contestants have now been announced, and as expected there’s a good mix of ages (19-66) and cultures (from London to Lithuania) represented to provide different styles and influences on the resulting bakes. In previous years we’ve fallen in love with some unlikely candidates: there was builder-turned-baker Richard who could plaster a wall and ice a cake with the same precision; prop-loving Frances who could make any shape imaginable out of cake; and Scottish trainee doctor James, who reintroduced us all to the clootie dumpling.
This year’s line up shapes up as follows: