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# Drag king Blü Romantic joins Great British Bake Off 2026
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/drag-king-blu-romantic-joins-great-british-bake-off-2026/
- Published: 2026-09-08T09:55:36.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-08T10:12:11.000Z
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: Culture

Birmingham drag king **Blü Romantic**, known off-stage as **Gabe**, has been announced as one of the contestants in the upcoming series of *The Great British Bake Off*.

The 32-year-old artist and theatre producer is among the 12 amateur bakers entering the famous *Bake Off* tent when the **Channel 4** series returns later this month. Gabe performs as drag persona Blü Romantic and describes themself as the "daddy of Birmingham drag". 

> Inspired by [@thekatebutch](https://x.com/thekatebutch?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) i think you should read the first letter of my last few tweets [pic.twitter.com/th2rA5VtGN](https://t.co/th2rA5VtGN?ref=scenemag.co.uk)
> 
> — Gabe GBBO / Blü Romantic (@kingbluromantic) [September 7, 2026](https://x.com/kingbluromantic/status/2097039536572223506?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk)

Originally from Grimsby and now based in the West Midlands, Gabe discovered baking after watching the very first series of *Bake Off* as a teenager. Their baking style is described as "gorgeous but very homemade", with a particular love of savoury bakes and meringue. 

Away from the kitchen, Gabe is a familiar face on the LGBTQ+ scene, producing theatre shows, designing costumes and performing across the country as Blü Romantic. They live with partners Ellis and Tyler, alongside their two sausage dogs, Dill and Sage. 

Speaking about joining the show, Gabe said: "I have watched every season of *Bake Off* and walking into the tent was unreal.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/HRouVf1XEAElKpD-1.jpeg)

"It felt like I was walking into a national legacy and fever dream combined. Truly such an honour. A 'pinch me' moment." 

Gabe also joked that "calming my nerves while doing a shot of tequila with Nigella may have happened" after meeting the programme's new judge, **Nigella Lawson**, who joins **Paul Hollywood** on the judging panel this year. 

The new series marks the 17th season of the baking competition and features contestants from a wide range of backgrounds, including a paediatric doctor, a law student and a retired garment technologist.