A DELIVERY driver from Cumbria has been named as a contestant in the upcoming series of the Great British Bake Off.
Abbi, 27, will compete against 11 other bakers on Channel 4's hit TV series, which starts on Tuesday, September 26.
The upcoming series will be the 14th edition of the legendary show, airing at 8:00pm.
Describing the new hopeful, the show said: "Abbi first learned to bake alongside her mum, honing those early skills during her teens, when she became enthralled by the Victorian era and especially the traditional bakes of the time – steamed puddings, fruit cakes and more."
An avid vegetable grower by trade, Abbi explained that she would be taking inspiration from the beauty of the English countryside that surrounds her home.
"A lover of the great outdoors, she forages for seasonal ingredients – the bigger and bolder, the better – and puts her homegrown veg to good use.
"Abbi’s bakes aim to combine comfort and familiarity with a strong nod towards nature, and a feeling of creating something magical – bakes with a touch of fairytale!"
This will be the first series joint hosted by TV personality Alison Hammond, working alongside Noel Fielding and judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
Hammond said: "I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the Great British Bake Off and can’t wait to meet this year’s bakers.
"It’s a huge honour to be back in the tent and I can’t wait to get started."
It’s time to say hello to the Bake Off Class of 2023! They’re ready to roll up their sleeves and fill the Tent with glee! #GBBO pic.twitter.com/XrNpO6aAkK
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) September 18, 2023
In preparation the new series, the hosts have learnt sign language in order to better communicate with the show's first ever deaf contestant.
Abbi will be just the second competitor to have originated from Cumbria, with the first only coming last series.
James Dewar, a nuclear scientist from the county, finished in ninth place last year.
The rivals Abbi will be competing against include a deli manager from North London, a P.E teacher from Cambridgeshire, and a retired airline crew member from the West Midlands.
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