Great British Bake Off Contestants 2018 – family facts
How much do you know about GBBO’s fave bakers and their families? Here’s what you need to know about the bakers who have children…
Twelve talented novice bakers star in 2018’s series of the Great British Bake Off – alongside judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, and presenters Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig.
Now, we know that Noel recently welcomed a little baby, and that Sandi’s got a few grown-up kids – but what about the contestants themselves? Are there any mums and dads among the ranks?
As it happens, there are plenty of parents representin’ in the GBBO tent this year.
Get to know the mums and dads in this year’s Bake Off…
Dan Beasley-Harling
Dan, aged 36, is a full-time dad, from London, who admits he joined the show to do something for himself that wasn’t kids-related!
He has 2 little ones, named Barnaby and Constance, with his partner. (Also, on Twitter @DBeasleyHarling, he calls himself a ‘gay at home dad’ – which is very punny, indeed.)
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“My reasons for taking part in Bake Off were entirely selfish. I have been at home looking after the kids for the last 6 years, so it was a chance to do something for myself,” he admitted.
“With my youngest starting school, I’m now ready to rejoin the world of adults – I hoped that Bake Off might represent an opportunity to do something that I love and am passionate about.”
LOL. We’re sure that’ll sound familiar to many stay-at-home parents ?
It also seems his children aren't so fussed about the fact that dad's now on the telly. He tweeted: "I asked the kids if they wanted to watch daddy on the TV tonight.
"The idea was met with irritation, and the suggestion of surfing YouTube instead ? #BakeOff #gbbo"
Karen Wright
Karen, who is 60 and from Yorkshire, was also spurred on by her kids. Though, we reckon, they’re not quite as little as Dan’s 2…
“My daughters encouraged me to do [Bake Off], and I was approaching 60 and I found it really liberating to do something like this.
“As you get older you feel less inhibited, and think 'Does it matter?' if you make a fool of yourself.
“I have always wanted to be even more flamboyant and free, I really wanted to do this for me and I thought it was the right time to step up and take on some challenges and have some fun.”
Go Karen, go ?
Briony Williams
Briony is 33, and a stay-at-home mum living in Bristol. Her family and getting a bit of ‘me time’ motivated her, too.
“I went in the tent for myself – and to make my family proud.”
She learnt to bake in 2013, after following along with lots of YouTube tutorials. We wonder how many toy unboxing vids she was made to watch at the same time ?
Jon Jenkins
Jon, aged 47, from Wales, has 2 daughters: Hannah and Lucy, as well as a son. He shares the odd pic of his 3 kids on Instagram, @jon_bakes_hawaiian
He said: “I’ve always loved cooking, especially baking, and as a family we’ve always loved watching Bake Off.
“I bake as often as I can – several times a week, mainly in the day while my wife and children are at school as I get some peace that way!
“The time pressure in the tent was harder of course but I have to admit I loved every minute.”
Terry
56-year-old Terry, who’s now retired, does indeed have children – daughters, to be exact. Again, they’re not so little ones.
In fact, they’re the ones who told him to apply for the show!
Imelda McCarron
Mum Imelda, aged 33, is from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
Official bios note that she spends her time juggling “her job and family life” – so we assume that means she’s got a little one in tow.
Of course, when she’s not mum-ing, she’s baking: using evenings and weekends to get her fix of soda bread and lovely cakes.
Images: Instagram/Paul Hollywood, Instagram/Jon Jenkins, all others via RadioTimes.com
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