Great British Bake Off star Dawn Hollyoak has sadly passed away at the age of 61. The much-loved baker appeared in the 2022 series of the Channel 4 show.
The former IT manager, who was the sixth baker to leave the tent in her series of the TV hit, died peacefully surrounded by her family and loved ones.
The news was announced on the Instagram page she used to post her cooking creations with an announcement that read: "It's with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our star baker Dawn. Not only a wonderfully talented baker but first and foremost an amazing mother, grandmother, wife and friend.
"Dawn passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. We will miss her forever, but promise to continue her baking legacy!" The message was signed off with a single white heart.
While the cause of death remains unknown, tributes have poured in from the wider Bake Off community, including long-standing judge Paul Hollywood, who wrote: "I'm so sorry to hear that, send my love to the family a lovely lady x."
Fellow contestant Carole Edwards, who left just before Dawn, wrote: "I will miss my friend terribly, a beautiful and talented lady inside and out, fly high my friend, life just won't be the same without you. Sending all my love to the family. Xx."
A third co-star, Giuseppe Dell'Anno, wrote: "This is devastating news… I only met Dawn once, but I was blown away by her joyous personality and her infectious smile. She will be sorely missed, but will live in the heart of those who loved her forever!"
Bake Off 2021's George Aristidou added: "We never did get to make them koupes Dawn…Absolutely gutted to hear this very sad news. RIP and my condolences to all your family and friends x."
Dawn's season of The Great British Bake Off saw Syabira Yusoff crowned the winner, with finalists Abdul Rehman Sharif and Sandro Farmhouse in the runner-up spots.
Her final post, in August last year, was a fitting one - showing one of her incredible cakes depicting a lion's head. She wrote, in reference to England's Lionesses national football team: "I’ve been a bit poorly since my lovely holiday but couldn’t resist posting a cake from my archive. Lion cake to wish our girls the very best of luck today."
The Great British Bake Off is one of the best-known UK shows globally, with a vast audience of dedicated fans following the progress of 12 amateur bakers.
Known as The Great British Baking Show in the US and Canada, is has spawned a number of TV imitators since it launched, initially on the BBC before moving to Channel 4, in 2010.
