Great British Bake Off contestant Dawn Hollyoak has died aged 61, according to a statement published on her Instagram account.
Hollyoak competed in the Channel 4 show in 2022 and was the sixth baker to be eliminated in Halloween week.
Her death was announced on Friday night in a social media post. No cause of death was given.
Alongside a picture of Hollyoak holding a mug in a kitchen, the statement said: ‘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!’
Hollyoak’s Bake Off co-stars, including judge Paul Hollywood, paid tribute to her in the comments section.
Hollywood wrote: ‘I’m so sorry to hear that, send my love to the family 😢 a lovely lady x.’
Fellow contestant Maxy Maligisa said: ‘Dawn will be missed so much 💔💔💔💔 our memories together are memories that I will cherish forever 🕊️❤️ xx.’
Janusz Domagała, who also competed in the 2022 series, shared: ‘All my love is with you.’
2022 Bake Off runner-up Sandro Farmhouse said: ‘❤️We love you Dawn 🕊️.’
Paying tribute, the youngest contestant on Hollyoak’s Bake Off series Maisam Algirgeet wrote: ‘Sending so much love🤍 I will never forget how talented and incredible Dawn was⭐️.’
Before competing on the Great British Bake Off, Hollyoak worked as an IT Manager in Bedfordshire.
When she was eliminated from the show, she wrote a letter to her fans – in which she revealed she had applied to Bake Off ten times.
Hollyoak said: ‘Well, it’s finally time to say goodbye to the tent after the adventure of a lifetime.
’10 applications fan then finally I got the call I’d dreamt about. I arrived at the tent feeling a bit scared (terrified).
‘Everyone knew who I was, really strange, I’m just Dawn, Mrs Ordinary Mum/Granny!
She continued: ‘What a great time (that no one ever sees) so welcoming and wonderful. They even check how you take your coffee before you arrive.’
Hot Property Picks from Metro
What I Own: We swapped a difficult landlord for our vibrant £460,000 London flat
What I Own: We saved for 10 years to buy our first home in West Sussex for £415,000
I am worried about housing – what have Labour promised voters?
Want a private dip? A ‘rare’ lake less than 2 hours from London is up for sale
I am worried about housing – who should I vote for?
According to her Instagram, Hollyoak worked as a designer and maker of couture cakes, and also led baking classes and sugar crafting workshops.