Birmingham-based Drag King to star on Great British Bake Off

Birmingham-based Drag King, Blü Romantic AKA Gabe (32) is set to appear on the latest series of The Great British Bake Off.  The “Daddy of Birmingham drag”, costume designer, artist, and one quarter of Send in the Clowns, Blü Romantic has been revealed among the cast for series 17, swapping the stage for the Bake Off tent.

Gabe reportedly first discovered baking after watching the very first series of Bake Off aged 13. They describe their current baking style as “gorgeous but very homemade”, “with a preference for savoury, meat-filled bakes and an obsession with meringue.” Sharing the news on social media, Gabe jokingly says: “I’m just here to eat buns!”

Raised in Grimsby which Gabe describes in their contestant biography as “the home of fish and chips and zero gay bars”, they now live in the West Midlands with partners Ellis and Tyler, and their two adorable sausage dogs, Dill and Sage. When they’re not being a “professional nuisance”, producing theatre shows and performing as Blü Romantic, they are a keen gardener, crafter and dinner party host.

Gabe will join eleven other bakers on the upcoming series including: Clara (24, Hertfordshire), Connie (63, London), Danni (25, Dorset), Gary (67, Nottinghamshire), Mo (21, West Midlands), Molly (31, London), Moyin (22, Essex), Nikki (50, London), Shannon (29, Gloucestershire), Tom (25, West Yorkshire), and Yannis (28, London). This year also sees a change-up in judges with Nigella Lawson joining Paul Hollywood on the judging team, alongside returning hosts, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.

The Great British Bake Off 2026 starts on Tuesday 22nd September at 8pm on Channel 4.