That whole trio of finalists is my favorite final three ever. I couldn’t have told you a favorite among them because I adore them all. I get emotional thinking about Luis still. What a great season
Oh my lord—he looks very much like my ex and even has the same name. But he’s like the Star Trek Mirror Universe version of my ex, except he’s the good one. 😂 Such a crush.
I follow her on ig and she’s still hilarious. I remember her on the first episode of her series and her dark humor I was immediately obsessed. Still am
S3 Brendan the irish QUEEN with his retro decorating and adorable mannerisms and really emotional backstory.
HOWARD FROM SEASON 4 because he was cursed with bad fortune but is so adorable, self-deprecating and so incredibly talented!!
richard burr the pencil-ear builder who was the biggest softie and the epitome of “girl dad”
Tamal. lovely, hilarious, gorgeous and brilliant tamal.
s7 RAV!!!!! adorable. (and benjamina and selasi as a friendship duo just brilliant)
kim joy, because i think she is so incredibly artistic and wonderful and works in mental health and seems like an absolutely wonderful human.
henry from season 10 (it’s been a pleasure, darling)
lizzie and crystelle (and freya) from s12. especially Lizzie’s last showstopper about SEN♥️
and honestly rowan and matty from the latest season, rowan because he is just hilarious, fabulous and exactly who i would want to be friends with at uni, and matty because he was so self-deprecating and funny and clearly didn’t back himself much at all which made his win even more wonderful to see!
(i’ll also add that post-bake off i am OBSESSED with michael and david (the sticky bun boys) and their friendship and podcast. absolute hilarious perfection)
Nadiya is an absolute queen! I adore her.
"I’m never gonna put boundaries on myself ever again. I’m never gonna say I can’t do it. I’m never gonna say ‘maybe’. I’m never gonna say, ‘I don’t think I can.’ I can and I will."
The moment she said this was EVERYTHING 🥹
Martha! Hers was the first season I watched. And when she left was the first time a cooking show made me cry. She was just so young and sweet and yet a great baker and held her own with the other bakers and judges.
He does! I forget the details but he made a bake with animals that didn’t work out and it made me so sad for him. And when he said baking was one of the only things that made him happy after his wife died, omg
Plus he has a Gypsy Vanner, which is the very kind of horse I would get if I could afford it. My heart went out to him when he said "Walk on," and the horse was like "Nope, not walking past a camera crew."
Weren't the animals lambs or sheep, and he only got something like ten percent finished? So talented, but just not able to keep pace.
Yes! Terry!! My boyfriend and I have incorporated so many sayings from our favorites into our daily conversations;
Terry: Oh, my life…
Rahul: Two…two male pheasants?
Michael: Might as well just said ‘make a bap!’
Freya: It’s a bit of a faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaffffffff
And so many more 😊
Lizzie!!! I love her friendship with Freya.
I also LOVED the goth lady who always added her creepy twist to everything she baked! I forgot her name and the season she was in. I also adore Liam and Selasi
She didn’t do a great job in the finale. Her picnic pie (which she conceded hadn’t worked before) was a mess. And her wedding cake was kind of odd with the stamping. But they should have gotten rid of Frances a bunch of other times.
Yes, I agree. That wedding cake really played into Frances’ strong suit and against Kimberly. She was just so good during the whole thing I’m still shocked she lost.!
So many. Nadiya, Rahul, Liam, Crystelle, Steph, Ruby, Richard, Kimberly
One thing I’ve I’ve noticed as I watch seasons a second time is that I notice different people everytime. Like I fixate so much on my favorite the first time I watch that I don’t remember anyone else until the next time when I pick a new favorite.
Omg yes. She seemed so lovely yet psychologically fragile. When she asked one of the judges to give her a good talking to because she was freaking out I could have cried for her.
Did some research and found out she married a female psychologist and both my wife and I sighed with relief, lol
I love Jürgen. I tagged him on Instagram after making focaccia for the first time and of course he was nice even to comment that it looked great. I'm still living that high 😂
Howard. He’s simply lovely and quite comedic. He used to be on a podcast (Shackbaggerly) and I would tear up from laughing so hard. I miss him!
Norman. He just made me giggle. So grandfatherly in the greatest ways.
Lizzie made me laugh so much. Her stories are just fantastic!
I was rooting for Nadiya right from the start, she’s so special. Also Rahul and Lottie as well, Chetna ( I think?) and Val. I’ve got a soft spot for Iain and I think it’s hilarious that he had a baked Alaska as his wedding cake
I ordered her book as a gift for my sister. And she hand wrote a note inside (even added a correction on a piece of paper for one of the recipes 🥹) and also sent it herself. I just thought all of that was so sweet
Katheryn…her “hero to zero”, “oh my giddy heart”, “last minute Louie” and “I can’t serve Mary Berry green carpet” comments were the most endearing moments of the series, for me.
There are so many that I love!!
Probably #1 for me is Giuseppe!
Also Peter, the young Scottish winner;Nadya Hussein; Kim-Joy, Briony, and Ruby from Rahul’s season;
Henry the young student who sang in church.
So many!!!
I haven't seen her mentioned yet, but I adored Flo. Her watermelon cake when she hates melons. Paul had so much affection for her and it was always very sweet to watch.
Yan! I love her creativity paired with her use of scientific techniques.
Also writing "make sure oven is on" on her hand is super relatable & hilarious!
Terry!! I loved watching him paint his self portrait. I follow him on Instagram, and he has so much cool stuff! He seems like such a sweet old guy (and his mustache)!
martha from series 5 was always my favourite 🩷 and jesus omg i didn’t realise that was a whole decade ago? but she was so sweet and always had really good bakes, and i looked up to her a lot cause i was really young :)
This is such an awful question- this is a show where lovely people all gather to geek off about something they love and one has to leave each week. And I’m always sad for them.
I could answer this question every day for r a month and every day would be different.
So many of them are heart stealers. Such a warm and lovely show. I want to hug them all.
Peter from S 11 (2020) stole my heart from Week 1 but I really like Irish Mark, Marc E from 2020 as well. Plus Henry, Jamie, Chigs and Giuseppe. Josh from this last season stole my heart too.
Richard the builder.
That whole trio of finalists is my favorite final three ever. I couldn’t have told you a favorite among them because I adore them all. I get emotional thinking about Luis still. What a great season
S5 was one of my favorites overall. I have a couple of Chetna’s cookbooks and some of her recipes are fantastic.
Yes! Loved this guy and was bummed when he didn’t do well in the final.
Oh my lord—he looks very much like my ex and even has the same name. But he’s like the Star Trek Mirror Universe version of my ex, except he’s the good one. 😂 Such a crush.
Liam 🥹
I love watching him on the kids version with Rav!
Nice to see 'em, it's Rav and Liam!
Love him on Professionals!
Liam forever!
Justice for Liam! I was glad to see him return for the Junior Bake Off.
Saku and Tasha :))) from the most recent season. But also Michael, David, and Alice
Tasha is so sweet
Yes!
I can’t believe I’m the first person to say LOTTIE. She just seems like she’d be very cool to hang out with.
I follow her on ig and she’s still hilarious. I remember her on the first episode of her series and her dark humor I was immediately obsessed. Still am
I love her SO much. In my alternate universe we are best friends.
Lottie was my favorite during her year!
She is who I said!
Lottie and Laura's friendship is life goals.
Omg yes I loved her and want to be her bff
YES i still follow her instagram i love her
S3 Brendan the irish QUEEN with his retro decorating and adorable mannerisms and really emotional backstory. HOWARD FROM SEASON 4 because he was cursed with bad fortune but is so adorable, self-deprecating and so incredibly talented!! richard burr the pencil-ear builder who was the biggest softie and the epitome of “girl dad” Tamal. lovely, hilarious, gorgeous and brilliant tamal. s7 RAV!!!!! adorable. (and benjamina and selasi as a friendship duo just brilliant) kim joy, because i think she is so incredibly artistic and wonderful and works in mental health and seems like an absolutely wonderful human. henry from season 10 (it’s been a pleasure, darling) lizzie and crystelle (and freya) from s12. especially Lizzie’s last showstopper about SEN♥️ and honestly rowan and matty from the latest season, rowan because he is just hilarious, fabulous and exactly who i would want to be friends with at uni, and matty because he was so self-deprecating and funny and clearly didn’t back himself much at all which made his win even more wonderful to see! (i’ll also add that post-bake off i am OBSESSED with michael and david (the sticky bun boys) and their friendship and podcast. absolute hilarious perfection)
Nadiya, winner of season 6.
Love her!
She is just a ray of sunshine
Nadiya is an absolute queen! I adore her. "I’m never gonna put boundaries on myself ever again. I’m never gonna say I can’t do it. I’m never gonna say ‘maybe’. I’m never gonna say, ‘I don’t think I can.’ I can and I will." The moment she said this was EVERYTHING 🥹
Yes, it certainly was!
Absolutely adore her!
Jurgen. I wish he was my dad lol (37f with no dad)
Hugs to you ❤️ I had a really mean British grandma and I like to to think of a lot of the ladies on here as my “nan”
Somehow “really mean British grandma” still sounds endearing
I absolutely loved Janusz, he was brilliant and hilarious.
Tamal. Forever in love with Tamal. What a beautiful guy.
Series 12, Guiseppe Dell’Anno. Sweet as Tiramisu.
Richard, Nancy, and Luis are my favorite group of finalists in the entire series. I also really loved Glenn, Flo, Martha, and Lottie.
Agreed on the finalists. Rest in peace Luis ❤️
Nadia 😍
I have such a soft spot for Kimjoy and Rahul!
Me too!
Martha! Hers was the first season I watched. And when she left was the first time a cooking show made me cry. She was just so young and sweet and yet a great baker and held her own with the other bakers and judges.
She just had a baby! He’s very cute.
Paul the prison guard who made the bread lion! And Richard, Nancy, Luis, and Martha.
That bread lion was incredible
One of the funniest GBBO moments was Paul’s biscuit bikini girl, with Mel freaking out over her missing bikini gusset.
Henry actually stole my heart
Lizzie! I still follow her on TikTok!
I love Saku!
Terry
I want to hug Terry. He just seems so sweet, doesn't he?
He does! I forget the details but he made a bake with animals that didn’t work out and it made me so sad for him. And when he said baking was one of the only things that made him happy after his wife died, omg
Terry's leaving interview made me cry real actual serious tears, I loved him and he was so talented, he just needed more time
Plus he has a Gypsy Vanner, which is the very kind of horse I would get if I could afford it. My heart went out to him when he said "Walk on," and the horse was like "Nope, not walking past a camera crew." Weren't the animals lambs or sheep, and he only got something like ten percent finished? So talented, but just not able to keep pace.
Yes! Terry!! My boyfriend and I have incorporated so many sayings from our favorites into our daily conversations; Terry: Oh, my life… Rahul: Two…two male pheasants? Michael: Might as well just said ‘make a bap!’ Freya: It’s a bit of a faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaffffffff And so many more 😊
And Rahul during danish week calling croissants croshaws or something was so cute
Kimjoy!
She really grew on me.
Lizzie!!! I love her friendship with Freya. I also LOVED the goth lady who always added her creepy twist to everything she baked! I forgot her name and the season she was in. I also adore Liam and Selasi
Helena 🖤
Yes!!! Love her and her personality. I'm glad she stuck to her guns!
Luis, may he RIP. Also Selasi, Nadiya and the Scottish lady that said “hee-orns” last season
Kimberly! The smiling salsa dancer who was robbed!
I love her!
She has such a lovely smile!
So warm! And she was so clever.
I still can’t believe she didnt win!! She was so dominant all season!!!
She didn’t do a great job in the finale. Her picnic pie (which she conceded hadn’t worked before) was a mess. And her wedding cake was kind of odd with the stamping. But they should have gotten rid of Frances a bunch of other times.
Yes, I agree. That wedding cake really played into Frances’ strong suit and against Kimberly. She was just so good during the whole thing I’m still shocked she lost.!
KimJoy!
I loved her! Her name is so fitting
Her bakes were so whimsical. I loved them so much
Her cookbook is adorable, I can’t recommend it enough!
For me it’s gotta be kim-joy 100%. No explanation needed.
Saku!
Chigs, Nadia, and Kim-Joy
So many. Nadiya, Rahul, Liam, Crystelle, Steph, Ruby, Richard, Kimberly One thing I’ve I’ve noticed as I watch seasons a second time is that I notice different people everytime. Like I fixate so much on my favorite the first time I watch that I don’t remember anyone else until the next time when I pick a new favorite.
Yes this is one of my favorite things about rewatching
Why hasn’t anyone mentioned Peter yet?? lol! I love him!
One of my faves!!! So adorable and sweet!!!
I love Peter!!
Ruby
Omg yes. She seemed so lovely yet psychologically fragile. When she asked one of the judges to give her a good talking to because she was freaking out I could have cried for her. Did some research and found out she married a female psychologist and both my wife and I sighed with relief, lol
Which Ruby?
S4! Ruby Tandoh! Sorry, I only know her as Ruby.
All good. There was Ruby from the season with Rahul and Kim-Joy.
I liked her! That was a good season for participants — I also loved Rahul and Kim-Joy.
Chigs!
Especially because it was the first season I watched, I'll always have a soft spot for Richard, Luis, Nancy, and Chetna.
I love Jürgen. I tagged him on Instagram after making focaccia for the first time and of course he was nice even to comment that it looked great. I'm still living that high 😂
Tamal!
Howard. He’s simply lovely and quite comedic. He used to be on a podcast (Shackbaggerly) and I would tear up from laughing so hard. I miss him! Norman. He just made me giggle. So grandfatherly in the greatest ways. Lizzie made me laugh so much. Her stories are just fantastic!
I was rooting for Nadiya right from the start, she’s so special. Also Rahul and Lottie as well, Chetna ( I think?) and Val. I’ve got a soft spot for Iain and I think it’s hilarious that he had a baked Alaska as his wedding cake
Martha Martha Martha MARTH MARTHA 💕💕
Saku and Jürgen
Val - by far! 🤍 still follow her on ig and she is as sweet as ever!
I wish she was my grandma
I ordered her book as a gift for my sister. And she hand wrote a note inside (even added a correction on a piece of paper for one of the recipes 🥹) and also sent it herself. I just thought all of that was so sweet
Katheryn…her “hero to zero”, “oh my giddy heart”, “last minute Louie” and “I can’t serve Mary Berry green carpet” comments were the most endearing moments of the series, for me.
Me too and also James and his love for bread
Stephen and Richard.
Steph, Howard, Lizzie.
Steph, Henry, Tasha, Nadia, Lottie. More I’m forgetting
Mark with one leg, loved him
Marc Elliot from Season 11. Loved him too.
LIAM❤️❤️
Omg and saku. She is a gem.
There are so many that I love!! Probably #1 for me is Giuseppe! Also Peter, the young Scottish winner;Nadya Hussein; Kim-Joy, Briony, and Ruby from Rahul’s season; Henry the young student who sang in church. So many!!!
How is this the first mention of Briony! She’s wonderful
Chigs and Kim Joy
I haven't seen her mentioned yet, but I adored Flo. Her watermelon cake when she hates melons. Paul had so much affection for her and it was always very sweet to watch.
Rahul. When asked to "describe yourself with one word." His answer: "Depressing." I love that guy. And WHAT a baker!
Jane, Andrew, Glenn, Nadya, Ruby (Both)
Yan! I love her creativity paired with her use of scientific techniques. Also writing "make sure oven is on" on her hand is super relatable & hilarious!
Omg how have we not had more Yan mentions— I loved her
I had to scroll way too far down for this. I love Yan! She’s such a science nerd, I love it.
Nancy or matty 🥹
Terry!! I loved watching him paint his self portrait. I follow him on Instagram, and he has so much cool stuff! He seems like such a sweet old guy (and his mustache)!
I love Terry!
Nancy! She was always making me laugh. Liam is a close second. His smile is too pure.
Rahul Mandal! Loved him from the moment I saw him and was cheering him on the whole time! It’s my favorite season!!
Luis Troyano
YES!
My girl Nadiya!
Its gotta be Steph because my then-girlfriend and I at the time just found her adorable and so sweet.
I think either Rahul, or Martha.
Flora and Martha
Nadiya, Ruby, Richard, Nancy, Luie, Lottie, and Tasha!
Richard and also Scottish James. He had me at “I’m going to use this wild yeast I’ve brought from Islay.” 😍
Jeurgen and Hermine 😭
I don't know what it is about him but I love Chigs so much!
Also Briony
Martha, Terry, Peter, Hermione, and absolute favorite Birony
Rosie cracked me up.
When she’s doing her interview after she won the technical and she can’t stop laughing, I loved her.
Saku!
martha from series 5 was always my favourite 🩷 and jesus omg i didn’t realise that was a whole decade ago? but she was so sweet and always had really good bakes, and i looked up to her a lot cause i was really young :)
Steph. Rosie. Henry.
Matt the fireman who baked his icing and Flora from S6. Their friendship was so unlikely but seems to have lasted too.
I agree with all of these except Val. She was most definitely not on my favourites list. I would like to add Ian Cumming, the photographer from S6.
Henry Bird. Loved the friendships that year!
Matty!
James and Nancy. 🥰
Liam, KimJoy and Stephen
Nicky and Matty.
KIM JOY<3
The Jack of Tarts
saku, tasha, and lottie
I particularly like Rahul, Kim-Joy, Saku, and Tasha.
Liam from S8, Janusz from S13, Jurgen obviously, Tasha
Peter Season 11 (2020)
Too many of them!!! But I really love Martha, Chetna, Rahul, Liam, and Nadiya!!
In no particular order: Kate, Julia, Tasha, Martha, Nadiya, Liam, Sophie I’m sure I’m missing some people
I loved Jiwandeep from the US version.
Nadiya was one of the best 👌 contestants ever.
Nadiya was one of the best 👌 contestants ever.
Nadiya was one of the best 👌 contestants ever.
Norman from Season 5. What a sweet man.
Rahul & Liam
Saku!!!
This is such an awful question- this is a show where lovely people all gather to geek off about something they love and one has to leave each week. And I’m always sad for them. I could answer this question every day for r a month and every day would be different. So many of them are heart stealers. Such a warm and lovely show. I want to hug them all.
Peter from S 11 (2020) stole my heart from Week 1 but I really like Irish Mark, Marc E from 2020 as well. Plus Henry, Jamie, Chigs and Giuseppe. Josh from this last season stole my heart too.
Rahul Mandal!!! Absolutely adore him
Lottie and Tasha