Should Bake Off feature more silver bakers?

The line-up for the new series of The Great British Bake Off is the youngest in the show’s history – and is comprised of 13 amateur bakers rather than the usual 12.

The baker’s dozen of hopefuls includes seven people in their 20s while the oldest contestant is 56, with an average age of 31 in the tent.

In previous years there have been contestants in their 60s and 70s, and the majority of line-ups have had an average age closer to 40.

The amateur bakers in this year’s The Great British Bake Off

The eldest contestant this year is HGV driver Phil, at just 56 years old.

He started taking baking seriously six years ago, despite having enjoyed baking bread in his home economics classes at school.Phil, who lives in Rainham, east London, with his wife and two daughters, regularly bakes four to five times a week, creating an array of breads including focaccia and brioche. Passionate about motorbikes as well as baking, he often turns up to his bike meetings with his edible creations.

He said that he has “yearned” to be on Bake Off for years and that a couple who are long-term friends of his will be very surprised he is in the series.

“They had been staying with us recently and said ‘you make such wonderful cakes’, but have never mentioned to me that I should go on Bake Off, so I think they haven’t a clue that I would be in it,” he said.

Would you like to see more silver bakers on your screen this series? Will it spoil your enjoyment – or will you even notice? Share your views on the new cast at Speakers Corner.