Great British Bake Off star Dawn Hollyoak sadly died this week, and fans visiting her Instagram page have seen that her final heartbreaking post from last year showed off her incredible baking skills.
Dawn, who was 61, appeared in the 2022 series of the Channel 4 show and was the sixth baker to leave the tent.
Following her time on the cookery contest, she regularly posted photos of her creations on social media, including an amazing golf caddy and clubs cake she made for her son’s 30th birthday last summer, and a massive cake in the shape of a strawberry to celebrate Wimbledon fortnight in July last year.
Her final post was in August 2023, where she shared an image of a stunning cake in the shape of a lion’s head just a few days after she had returned from a holiday in Kefalonia.
Her caption read: “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. #womensfootball #lionesses.”
The cake was a tribute to the England women’s football team who were playing in the World Cup Final on the day she posted the photo.
The former IT manager’s death was announced on her Instagram page on Friday 5 July. The post 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.
Tributes have flooded in from followers and Bake Off friends.
Guiseppe Dell’Anno, who won the competition in 2021, 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!”
The official page for The Great British Bake Off posted: “We’re so sorry to hear this news. Thinking of your family and sending lots of love,” while series judge Paul Hollywood wrote: "I'm so sorry to hear that, send my love to the family a lovely lady x."
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."
