John Whaite

This Star Baker is about to become a Star Dancer as he joins our class of 2021!

John's best known for his spectacular Great British Bake Off win back in 2012, taking the title when he was just 23 years old and in the middle of studying for a law degree. His natural talent for baking came earlier on in life, growing up on a dairy farm and learning a myriad of culinary skills from his mother (and even working in his parents' fish and chip shop as a youngster!).

Post Bake Off, John's cooking career went from strength to strength. He went on to study Patisserie at Le Cordon Bleu in London and opened his own cookery school in the heart of the Lancashire countryside in 2016, alongside making many appearances on our telly screens. He's cooked up a storm on Lorraine, This Morning, Sunday Brunch, Chopping Block with Rosemary Shrager and, most recently, Steph's Packed Lunch.

He's also written and released five cookery books between 2013 and 2019, becoming a household name as one of Britian's best bakers. His dancefloor outfits are sure to be a *bit* sparklier than his usual chef's apron, though. "I am so excited to be ‘Strictly-fied’. I was wearing glitter in the womb," he said. "I am excited for the sheer tops, tight trousers, the spray tans, hair and makeup. It’s glamorous and over the top but it’s a Saturday night!"

To that, we say... bring on the glitter!