Who is Nikki? Meet The Great British Bake Off 2026 contestant and advertising post producer
It's showtime on The Great British Bake Off – with 12 new bakers ready to put on a show.
So for theatre producer and costume designer Nikki, this should be a breeze when it's time to winning over their captive audience, judges Paul Hollywood and Nigella Lawson.
Speaking ahead of the series launch, Paul told Radio Times and other press of the competition: "I saw a couple of bakers this year that could have been in any five-star hotel or could have been in the middle of Feuchon in Paris."
Is Nikki one of them?
Ahead of their debut in the tent, here's everything you need to know about The Great British Bake Off 2026 contestant
Age: 50
Location: London
Job: Advertising post-producer
Nikki is a 50-year-old advertising post-producer from London who started baking with her mum at seven and has always found baking to be a form of therapy.
In the '90s she was a podium dancer at a nightclub in Basingstoke and still loves hitting the dance floor at R&B clubs with her cousins.
Her kitchen soundtrack depends on the bake: Nostalgic R&B for tried and tested desserts and classical music to bring in the moment of calm needed for experimentation.
She has been with her "soul mate" Tom for 22 years, and they have a 16-year-old daughter, Ava, with whom she enjoys theatre trips and long walks, recently completing a 100-mile walk to raise money for breast cancer.
Nikki had applied to Bake Off a few times previously but had been unsuccessful, so couldn't believe it when she got the call about her casting.
"I was literally 'quietly' squealing/screaming down the phone to the producer when I found out," she said.
"I was at work and was trying to be excited and quiet at the same time – I didn’t want my colleagues or clients to hear me. I'm loud as it is!"
What is Nikki's secret baking "super power"?
Nikki's baking super power is "staying positive", even if things might get a little stressful.
She explained: "Even if something doesn't quite go to plan, I don't panic. I take a breath, find a solution and keep smiling. Baking is supposed to be fun, and I think that shines through in what I create."
Read more on The Great British Bake Off 2026 cast:
The Great British Bake Off returns on Tuesday 22 September at 8pm on Channel 4.
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Authors
Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.
Tilly Pearce is a freelance TV journalist whose coverage ranges from reality shows like Love Is Blind to sci-fi shows like Fallout. She is an NCTJ Gold Standard accredited journalist, who has previously worked as Deputy TV Editor (maternity cover) at Digital Spy, and Deputy TV & Showbiz Editor at Daily Express US.
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