The Great British Bake Off returns for its 17th series, and this year’s line-up is already promising plenty of personality and hopefully, some impressive baking skills. Among the 12 contestants competing for the coveted Bake Off crown are two openly LGBTQ+ bakers, including Gabe, a 32-year-old drag king from the West Midlands, and Tom, a 25-year-old hairdresser from West Yorkshire.

With Paul Hollywood returning as head judge, Nigella Lawson joining the judging panel and Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding back as hosts, the 2026 series looks set to be every bit as entertaining as fans could hope. So without further ado, let’s meet this year’s queer contestants.

Gabe
Gabe is a professional drag king and proudly describes themself as the “daddy of Birmingham drag”. They also call themself a “professional nuisance”, a description that suggests the Bake Off could be in for a healthy dose of mischief alongside the usual pressure.

Their questionnaire answers certainly hint at a contestant who is unlikely to fade into the background. Gabe reveals that they have done shots with Nigella, previously had their bum smacked by Alison Hammond and were even prepared to “cream pie” themself in front of Noel Fielding.

Whether Gabe brings that same chaotic energy to their bakes remains to be seen.

 

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Tom
Meanwhile, Tom brings a rather different energy to the tent. The 25-year-old hairdresser from West Yorkshire describes himself as “super chill”, which could prove useful when technical challenges, tight deadlines and Paul Hollywood’s judging start to raise the temperature.

Tom is also a self-confessed Nigella obsessive, making his arrival alongside the culinary icon particularly exciting.

When it comes to baking, Tom says he enjoys creating treats that are “witty, pretty and, most importantly, delicious” – a philosophy that sounds perfectly suited to the colourful world of Bake Off.

Outside the tent, Tom recently spent seven months travelling around Southeast Asia with his boyfriend, Alex. The couple have since returned home and are now saving to buy a house together.

 

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With two very different LGBTQ+ personalities joining this year’s Bake Off cast, viewers can expect plenty of charm, humour and, hopefully, a few spectacular showstoppers. You can check out the full list of contestants here.