Michael Vaughan

Michael, 38, is a retired cricketer who represented Yorkshire and England and has impressed the nation with his brilliant captaincy. A right-handed batsman, he made history by being the first captain to win an Ashes series since 1987.

Michael is the first captain to win an Ashes series since 1987. He was chosen as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2003 and became the first cricketer ever to be featured on the cover of cricket’s Bible Wisden as a result of his excellent batting.

He has written three books related to his cricketing career - A Year in the Sun: The Captain's Story, Calling The Shots and Time To Declare.

He now mentors under-19s England team and has formed a successful broadcasting career on BBC’s Test Match Special.

• Michael describes himself as an “absolute novice” at baking but he really enjoys eating the cakes he’s given at match intervals and his all-time favourite is a slice of lemon drizzle cake.
• Michael was taught baking at school but “was rubbish at it”. He does however love cooking and is very good at making a steak, omelette and spaghetti bolognese. He finds cooking a nice way to relax, especially with “a glass of wine”.
• Since getting on to the Bake Off, he has had some practice making chocolate biscuits with his children and he hopes that they will give him some tips.
• He has made a meat and potato pie – but it had bit of a “soggy bottom”.

• He enjoys the company of others in the kitchen and says he is looking forward to “making an absolute fool” of himself in front of his fellow bakers.
• He is dreading the technical challenge somewhat but says he won’t have time to practice the other bakes so it shouldn’t make too much of a difference.
• Michael has always been a sports fan and recalls wanting to be a footballer at school but is glad that he went down the route of cricket as his “dodgy knees would have given up a long time ago playing football”.
• Michael thinks The Great British Bake Off is a great show and is taking part to “try something new, have a bit of fun and by some miracle bake something that won’t fall apart”. His family think it might be bit of a disaster.