A RETIRED midwife from Dorset has described the ‘exciting’ moment she got the call that she was going to be on the latest series of Great British Bake Off.
The popular Channel 4 series will return on Tuesday, September 21 and ahead of next week’s series opener, the full contestant list has been revealed.
Maggie, who is this year's oldest baker aged 70, is a retired midwife and nurse from Poole.
The Dorset resident grew up surrounded by family members who loved to cook and bake and finds that baking comes naturally to her.
Maggie believes the excitement of delivering a baby can only be excellent preparation for taking part in Bake Off.
Recalling the moment she was told she would be on Bake Off, Maggie said: “One of the most exciting, and unexpected moments, was the first phone call to say “Hello, this is the Great British Bake Off - we loved your application!”
“Every stage of the selection process was exciting but the phone call to say ‘you have a place’ produced every emotion in the book, including panic!”
A big Bake Off fan, she said her two favourite bakers from previous years were Rosie for ‘her calm, quiet and beautiful personality’ and Lottie for her ‘laid back cynicism’.
The first day in the famous tent left her bewildered and amazed as she achieved a personal goal of hers to take part in the beloved baking show.
She said: “When I walked into the tent on the first day, I thought I was dreaming. It was beautiful.
“I was thinking it’s just like the real thing - it took a few moments to realise that it was actually the real thing and I was part of it.”
The Poole resident had many happy memories from the beginning of the series as she aimed to impress Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith with her baking skills.
She said: “The special memory from the first week was the actual filming process - the camera, the lights and the action!
“It was such a new experience, the atmosphere was electric, all the production staff were so supportive, helpful and kind. It was wonderful.”
While she loves recreating traditional bakes, Maggie also likes to experiment with exciting flavours.
Maggie revealed her strengths are pastry and bread, so make sure to watch out for her during Bread Week.
Outside of baking, she also enjoys canoeing, kayaking, sailing and going on adventures in her campervan. When she’s not baking or thrill-seeking, Maggie loves spending time with her great-nieces and great-nephews.
When asked what she would be if she were a showstopper, she replied: “The place I have been happiest and the most confident has been at work as a midwife.
“I would like to be a modern sculpture of a woman holding a baby.”
Maggie will battle it out with a number of people from all walks of life, including a police detective, psychology student, and a software developer.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the series has been yet again filmed in a Covid secure bubble.
Hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding will return, among with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
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