Junior Bake Off star Cole says show was 'alreyt'

"My mum said she'll give me £100 if I win so, I'm buzzing to be honest," declared Cole in the first episode of Junior Bake Off 2026.

The 13 year-old was not crowned champion of the Channel 4 show but his straight-talking and cheeky responses were enjoyed by millions of viewers.

Since returning home to Dronfield, Derbyshire, the teenager has established his own Instagram baking service and reflected on the whole TV experience and subsequent attention as being "alreyt".

"When you're actually baking, there's always three people, cameras over my shoulder recording you, it's actually mental," he said.

"People are saying that I'm a fans' favourite and I've got videos being made about me by people I don't even know."

During his time on the show, Cole accused presenter Harry Hill of being tight-fisted over Oasis tickets, slated his rival football team Sheffield Wednesday and questioned why anyone would want to fly to the moon.

"I don't know why you'd pay thousands to go to space, when there's nowt to do there. You just have a little walk and come back," he stated to camera whilst rustling up a dessert.

Cole's puddings saw him through to episode five, when his over-baked eclairs and "proper pub pie" let him down and saw him leave the show before finals week.

As he left the tent, judge Liam Charles described Cole as a "legend" and Harry Hill said he had been "a lot of fun".

"I feel like I actually did quite well to be honest," Cole reflected on the series which concluded on Friday.

"On TV it looks easier than it is. I'll let you in on the 'behind the scenes. There's about 17-odd cameras, all massive ones on cranes, all hanging from the ceiling."

Despite this, Cole was regularly praised by the judges for being calm under pressure.

He said his love of baking began at a young age during weekend visits to his nan's house.

"I'd just ask if I could make a cake with her. Then at about seven years-old, I was making them in the kitchen by myself," he said.

Going to school while the series was aired has been interesting for Cole, with a few pupils "taking the mick" but the majority joining the Cole fan club.

"A massive group of about 10 Year 7s were coming up to me, jumping up at me, saying 'Can I get a picture? Can I get a picture?'," he said.

As an emerging TV chef, he said he was satisfied with the quality of his school dinners, with high praise for the cheese paninis which he described as "absolutely banging".

The teenager said he will probably continue baking but has ambitions of becoming a plumber or joiner once he leaves school.

"I just prefer hands-on jobs, proper jobs. I'd rather do that than being sat in an office or something," he said.

Mum Joanna said applying for Junior Bake off was a "crazy idea, but we're used to that with Cole".

"It was so funny to watch him on TV," she said, "The way he was just himself all the way through, I loved that. Absolutely hilarious."

Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.