It won’t be long before those immortal words ‘Ready, steady, bake!’ start ringing through households across the country – The Great British Bake off is back.

As always with GBBO, expect the odd soggy bottom, lashings of lamination and an inordinate amount of baking tray wafting.

Featuring contestants tackling tried-and-tested recipes for the Signature Challenge, a blind taste test in the technical challenge and, of course, showcasing their favourite bakes in the Showstopper Challenge, the contest really pushes the amateur bakers’ skills to the limit.

Each week one participant is eliminated from the programme until the final sees the remaining three go head-to-head, battling it out to be crowned winner.

The Great British Bake Off East Sussex contestant

With just over a week to go, the contestants heading into the Bake Off tent have been revealed including one from East Sussex.

A personal assistant to a head teacher in East Sussex, Janusz grew up in Poland and moved to the UK 10 years ago.

The 34-year-old is now living on the southeast coast with his boyfriend, Simon, and their sausage dog, Nigel.

Apart from baking, Janusz’s passions include internet culture, watching drag (once buying his boyfriend a statue of Ru Paul) and collecting movie props.

He was inspired to bake by his mother, who always baked on a Saturday; a tradition Janusz continued when he moved away from home to go to university.

He describes his baking style as ‘cartoon-like, colourful and camp’, and loves working Polish ingredients into British staples.

His favourite flavours are ginger and chocolate.

The Great British Bake Off season 13 contestants

Joining Carole in the marquee are the remaining 11 hopefuls – they hail from far and wide, but all have a passion for a springy sponge.

  • Abdul, 29, an electronics engineer from London
  • Carole, 59, a supermarket cashier from Dorset
  • Dawn, 60, an IT manager from Bedfordshire
  • James, 25, a nuclear scientist from Cumbria
  • Kevin, 33, a music teacher from Lanarkshire
  • Maisam, 18, a student and sales assistant from Greater Manchester
  • Maxy, 29, an architectural assistant from London
  • Rebs, 23, a masters student from County Antrim
  • Sandro, 30, a nanny from London
  • Syabira, 32 a cardiovascular research associate from London
  • Will, 45, a former charity director from London

:: Great British Bake Off Season 13 begins on Tuesday, September 13 at 8pm on Channel 4.