Rochdale man Tom Gilliford is set cook up a storm as he stars in Bake Off 2016 on BBC One.
Tom was born and grew up in Rochdale, though he now lives and works in London. He used to be fat, but now he isn’t. Tom isn’t shy when it comes to flavours and likes to surprise those he’s feeding with unexpected ingredients, according to the press release we were sent earlier.
But some local people are not optimistic about his chances of victory.
We spoke to local man Jason Kerslake, who told us, “Well, I think we all know the winner already, don’t we? Seeing as it’s the BBC, ramming political correctness down our throats as usual. It’s all rigged to suit the PC brigade. Tell you who’ll win – it’ll be him with the turban.”
The first competition back in 2010 was won by white man Edd Kimber. In 2011 it was white woman Joanne Wheatley. White man John Whaite swept to victory 2012, whilst in 2013 white woman Frances Quinn triumphed. The 2015 series was won by Nancy Birtwhistle, who is white. Nadiya Hussain, who famously won last year, is not white.
“I don’t watch it, me,” said Mr Kerslake. “The wife, she likes it. And anyway, if I did, I might have to rethink my opinion based on actual facts.”
The new series of The Great British Bake Off begins tonight on BBC1.
