The Great British Bake Off 2015: Will this year's contestants live up to expectation?

Here is what we think each baker might be like based on their appearance and the titbits of background information they have revealed.

But will they fit the mould of Bake Off’s past or surprise us? All will be revealed at 8pm tonight on BBC One.

1. Stu – The kooky cooking hipster?

The 35-year-old professional musician from Surrey has been baking since a young age, and his love of cooking was spurred on by watching his parents in the kitchen of the restaurant they owned.

With his hipster style we’re expecting Stu to wow us with some unusual techniques and wacky flavours.

2. Flora – Proving raw talent trumps experience?

At 19, art gallery assistant Flora is this year’s youngest baker. She comes from a family of keen bakers, and is about to begin studying for an art degree. So like previous youngsters Martha and Ruby, she may not be afraid to challenge age-old traditional methods and impress Mary and Paul with some dramatic presentation. Or she could struggle in the technicals attempting recipes she’s never heard of, and crumble under pressure…

3. Ian – Blowing us away with presentation?

Travel photographer Ian, 41, from Cambridgeshire is the Dalai Lama’s personal photographer when he is in the UK. We’re expecting a zen bench from Ian and some stunning visual flourishes.

4. Nadiya – Introducing exotic flavours?

Mother-of-three Nadiya, 30, was born in Luton and lives in Leeds, but her family is originally from Bangladesh. She had said she wants to “have her own adventure” and make her family proud – so could she surprise Mary and Paul with some exotic ingredients from her homeland?

5. Mat – Chaos in the kitchen?

This 37-year-old firefighter from London admits he is a “competent amateur” who “learns every time he bakes”. Could this spell trouble and burnt biscuits? But at least he’ll be handy if the tent catches fire.

6. Alvin – The experimental baker?

The 37-year-old nurse from Berkshire who is originally from the Philippines, says he is always scribbling down recipes and working on them over and over until he thinks he has got them just right. So he could surprise Mary and Paul with some unconventional methods that he knows will prove worth it.

7. Dorret – The one to watch?

This 53-year-old accountant from Preston has been baking for 40 years and regularly visits Michelin star restaurants with her husband. Her big dream is to attend the Cordon Bleu school in Paris. We reckon Dorret will be in the running for Star Baker from week one, but will she be inventive enough to stay at the top?

8. Ugne – The perfectionist?

The 32-year-old Lithuanian bodybuilder works as a PA and administrator and describes baking as a hobby, combining the Eastern European methods she has learned from her mother and grandmother with British baking traditions.
We think the dedication of bodybuilding and the organisational skills of being a PA add up to Ugne producing perfect puddings and pies.

9. Marie – Challenging Mary’s methods?

Marie, 66, moved to Paris in her 30s. The meticulous and dainty creations of French patissiers are very different to the wholesome British recipes Mary’s books are all about. Could there be a clash of cookery values between two matriarchs?

10. Sandy – Putting flavour first?

Child welfare officer Sandy, 49, from Bradford, says of her baking, “it might not be glamorous but it’s tasty” and runs a cooking club teaching children from deprived backgrounds to bake on a small budget. But we’ve seen it all too often on Bake Off when tasty, hearty fare is deemed too simple by Paul and Mary.

11. Tamal – Going the extra layer?

This 29-year-old trainee anaesthetist from Manchester made his sister’s wedding cake and counts an impressive five-tier creation among his favourite bakes. Tamal is sure to push himself, but that could mean not completing challenges in time. And he had better watch out for Mel and Sue snuffling round for tastes if his bakes are prone to topple over.

12. Paul – Using his loaf?

Think you’ve seen this 49-year-old prison governor from Swansea somewhere before? His name is Paul, he has white hair, blue eyes and a little goatee beard, and he even favours a blue shirt. He is baker Paul Hollywood’s doppelganger! A strict prison governor he is used to being regimented and strict. Will this produce the perfect bake? And will he and Paul have a stare-off?