Lesley Holloway for The Great British Bake Off 2025 / Channel 4
Age: 59
From: Kent
Occupation: Hairdresser
How did you react to the news that you would be on the show?
“No, I never dreamt that I would be good enough to get into the Bake Off tent. I have applied a few times before but never actually thought I would get through! I got the call from one of the team at 9.30 on Friday while working in the Hair Dressing Salon and I had to say I was going for a walk round the car park so I could speak to her privately. I really thought at first that I hadn’t made it and she was letting me down gently but then she said that I was one of the 12 this year. I got emotional as I knew my Dad would have been very proud and I felt very overwhelmed, excited and a little bit scared!”
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a baker?
“As a baker my strengths are traditional home baking and cooking. I love making pies, pastries and cakes and making them look beautiful and tempting. I am good at experimenting with new ideas and cooking with different recipes, creating new versions by adding new ingredients. My weakness is not believing in myself enough to trust my gut instinct.”
Was it surreal meeting Noel and Alison for the first time?
“It was really surreal meeting Noel and Alison for the first time. They are both so lovely and very funny! Noel is amazing. His brain is full of weird and wonderful things like a kaleidoscope. He is a naturally funny person.”
How did you feel about your first judging from Paul and Prue?
“Yes I was really nervous as it’s the first time they are tasting one of your bakes and you want them to like it. It was a relief when the first one was over. It was nice as they said they liked the flavours and that gave me more confidence moving forward.”
The Great British Bake Off begins Tuesday night at 8pm on Channel 4.
