Contestant with link to Chesterfield rises to the challenge in new series of The Great British Bake Off
A fresh batch of bakers – including a man born and bred in Chesterfield – will rise to challenges set by celebrity judges in the new series of The Great British Bake Off.
The 17th series – which launches tonight (Tuesday, September 22) – kicks off with new judge Nigella Lawson and Bake Off stalwart Paul Hollywood tasking contenders with making a stout cake signature, a creative technical and a self-portrait showstopper.
Among the 12 contestants vying to be crowned top baker is 67-year-old Gary who was born in Chesterfield. Away from the spotlight, Gary uses his culinary skills to raise funds for cancer charities through bake sales and coffee mornings after he beat prostate cancer.
Gary, a retired garment technologlist, lives with his wife Donna on a smallholding in Nottinghamshire where they have sheep, horses, Shetland ponies and miniature pygmy goats.
The Great British Bake Off is broadcast on Channel 4 at 8pm tonight.