Great British Bake Off to make history with most visibly LGBTQ+ line-up including first-ever drag king

The 2025 series of The Great British Bake Off is set to make history with its most visibly LGBTQ+ line-up to date, including the show’s first-ever drag king contestant. As the beloved baking competition returns to Channel 4 on 2 September, viewers can expect a vibrant mix of personalities, talents and stories that reflect the diversity of modern Britain.

Among the standout contestants is Jessika, a 32-year-old service designer from London who also performs as a drag king. Raised in Cornwall, Jessika is known for her bold and unconventional flavour combinations - such as salted mango caramel with cardamom, and Jerusalem artichoke caramel paired with dark chocolate mousse. Outside the tent, she’s a roller-skating gymnast and a regular at Pride parades, often dressing up as Britney Spears. Her presence marks a milestone for the show, celebrating queer artistry and visibility in mainstream media.

Also joining the cast is Aaron, a 38-year-old senior systems architect who moved from Manchester to London with his boyfriend Anthony. Known as the “King of Hobbies”, Aaron blends French patisserie techniques with Caribbean flavours, bringing a unique cultural fusion to his bakes.

Tom, a 31-year-old creative entrepreneur, completes the trio of LGBTQ+ contestants. As a teenager, he feared that his love of baking would reveal his sexuality. Now proudly out and living with his boyfriend, Tom channels his artistic flair into his creations and is active in queer sports teams. His journey from self-doubt to self-expression adds a heartfelt layer to this year’s narrative.

With judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood returning alongside hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding, the Bake Off tent is ready to welcome a new generation of bakers - and stories - that reflect the richness of the LGBTQ+ community.