Great British Bake Off contestant from Bexhill 'grateful and privileged' to be on new show

Linda, 61, appeared on the new series of the hit Channel 4 programme, which started on Tuesday night (September 22).

The retirement-living team leader was one of 12 contestants who was seen walking into the famous tent for the first time, with the hopes of being crowned the country's best amateur baker.

Linda said she felt 'grateful and privileged' to be part of the new show, alongside so many talented bakers.

"I couldn’t believe I was there," she said. "It could only be my love of baking and how it pleases me to feed others that shone through at the auditions."

Speaking ahead of the new series, Linda added: "I was so excited and I am still in a little shock, I just wanted to do my best and show people how much I loved to bake. I find it’s a real therapy and lovely when it’s so appreciated. I’ll never lose that magical feeling I had when I first walked into the tent and that will stay with me as one of my moments. It’s never too late to chase your dreams."

According to the show's producers, Linda discovered her passion for baking during her frequent childhood visits to her aunt’s dairy farm, just down the road from her own home.

She would help to milk the cows, then carry a bucket of milk into the kitchen, where her aunt taught her to bake cakes topped with rich, creamy icing.

A lover of the countryside and of being outdoors in general, Linda said she frequently heads, with her partner Richard, to their local beach, to fish for mackerel and mullet.

Linda, who says she has watched most series of the Bake Off, found it difficult to keep her appearance on the show a secret from her family.

She added: "It was really difficult regardless of the lockdown. I would have loved my nieces input regarding my bakes from the outset but I was so scared they would be so excited they wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret. I didn’t tell them until the day before I left for the hotel and I was so pleased I did.

"I’ve watched most series although I don’t have the memory some have of all the contestants and winners. My bakes are very personal to me, and my family`s favourites. The tent had a very calming and magical feel for me, it was almost like being in another realm and nothing like I thought it would be."

The first episode, which aired on Tuesday, consisted of three challenges: making a battenburg cake, a pineapple upside-down cake and a cake bust of one of their heroes.

In the battenburg round, Linda paid homage to her cousin, who had passed away, with an ambulance-shaped cake.

Despite a few harsh criticisms from the judges during the first show, Linda avoided going home and has made it into the second week of the show.

Filming for this year's Bake Off was drastically changed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Contestants and their families had to self-isolate before coming on set and the cast and crew were then required to live together in a bubble during production.

Here is a Q&A with Bexhill's baking star:

This has to be a unique series filmed during Lockdown – did it feel special to be part of that process?

This was an amazing experience and I felt privileged to be a part of the show. Love Prods had thought about everything as far as I was concerned.

Who encouraged you to fill out the application form to be on The Great British Bake Off?

It was my partner Richard primarily; he loves my baking and knows how it makes me feel to be in the kitchen. He has supported and encouraged me throughout and has been as excited as I have at every stage.

My nieces also encouraged me to apply, they tell me their love of baking was inspired by the fun times we had when they were growing up and how those memories have inspired them to bake with their children. What a legacy.

Who is your baking mentor or inspiration and what age did you start baking?

My uncle Bob had a dairy farm just along the road and I would play with my cousin Donna as often as I could. My Aunt Rose baked all the time and I specifically remember her lovely little fairy cakes with fresh cream straight from the cow whipped and swirled on the top. I was around 7yrs old when my love of baking started but I really got into it in my 20`s when my daughter was born and I started making Birthday cakes.

Do you get asked to bake a specific cake for special occasions?

It would be a lemon sponge with lemon curd and mascarpone cream filling. I never get fed up with making it; it’s fresh and tangy and reminds me of cheesecake. I always vary the decoration which makes it different every time I make it.

How will you watch the show and who will you be with [govt guidelines permitting] ?

I would love to watch each episode with family, but I’m hoping we can all connect remotely.

What music do you bake to – and favourite tune?

We have what we call our holiday tunes we listen to most days. I always feel like we’re on holiday living where we do and so close to the beach. It’s mostly Soul and Reggae although I enjoy all kinds of music. One of my favourites I really love singing along to is.. `Your my best friend` (because Richie is) by Queen and life is so good!

Were you any good baking at school or did it all come to you in later life?

I didn’t have the opportunity to do much baking at school although I always enjoyed home economics. I can remember sampling others bakes in the class and giving the lion’s share of mine away before I got home! The real appreciation for good food came later in life when I could experiment in my own home and bake the things my family loved.

Did you ever imagine you would ever be on TV?

Not in a million years! I still can’t comprehend I will be, I guess I will believe it when the show is aired.

Are you looking forward to - or slightly scared of seeing yourself baking on television?

Mostly I’m looking forward to it. I’ve had a couple of moments where I’ve woken up in a sweat thinking I hope I didn’t embarrass my family! I had such a great time though, it felt so natural and if I make someone laugh it will have made the experience all that much better!

This has been a very different Bake Off for the 2020 Bakers – how pleased were you to finally get into the Tent on that first morning?

I was just in awe that Love Productions had been able to pull everything together. I guessed there were lots of implications but being in the `Bake Off Bubble` and seeing how everything had been thought about in such detail really amazed me. So to be in the tent the first morning was a real magical moment for me. I just kept pinching myself and tried hard to stop grinning at everyone!

As a baker what would you say are your strengths… and what are your weaknesses?

I think my experience over the years would be my strength, but my weakness is definitely poor timing.