Great British Bake Off star Dawn Hollyoak has died aged 60, her family has announced.
The news was shared on Hollyoak's official Instagram account, @thebakerdawn, where a statement 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!”
Hollyoak was a contestant from the 2022 series of The Great British Bake Off
The mother-of-three described herself as an “artist in and out of the kitchen”, according to the GBBO website.
Paul Hollywood, judge on the show, posted on social media following her death: “I'm so sorry to hear that, send my love to the family a lovely lady x.”
Carole Edwards, who appeared on the same series of the competition, wrote: “I will miss my friend terribly, a beautiful and talented lady inside and out, fly high my friend, life just won't be the same without you.
“Sending all my love to the family. Xx.”
She was the sixth baker to be knocked out of the show.
Baking star Dawn addressed an ongoing illness and said she was feeling 'a bit poorly' in what became her last Instagram post before she passed away, shared ten months ago.
Ahead of the England Women football team Euros triumphant final against Germany at Wembley she made a ‘Lioness cake’ and posted it on instagram.
She wrote: “Lion cake to wish our girls the very best of luck today. @lionesses #womensfootball #lionesses #itscake #hypertealistic.”
The 13th series of 'Great British Bake Off' which she appeared on was won by Syabira Yusoff, who was joined in the final by Abdul Rehman Sharif and Sandro Farmhouse.
Following her departure from the show, she said: “I really don’t want to share tears over it because it’s been the most amazing experience.”
