News / The Great British Bake Off
Bake Off baker Tasha from Bristol is show’s first deaf contestant
A participation officer from Bristol will become the first deaf contestant when Great British Bake Off returns for its new series.
Tasha Stones will be joining the show with her BSL interpreter, Daryl.
“When I had the Zoom call to tell me I was one of the 12, I cried. Daryl also cried. We were a mess,” 27-year-old Tasha said.
is needed now More than ever
The judges and presenters of the Channel 4 show, including new co-host Alison Hammond, all learned basic sign language ahead of Tasha’s arrival in the tent.
“When we lined up outside the tent to do our first walk-in show, we were all so nervous,” Tasha added.
“It was a big moment when Noel introduced not only Alison but also Daryl as part of the lineup. Seeing Daryl up at the front and feeling full part of the show was a really special moment. I couldn’t have done it without him.”
Tasha says she bakes without fear and uses baking to express herself creatively – photo: Channel 4
Tasha, who works at the National Deaf Children’s Society, says that the best thing about baking as a child was licking the sugar icing from the tops of the fairy cakes she used to make with her mother and grandmother.
She made cakes for her friends at secondary school where her food tech teacher encouraged her to develop her skills as a hobby.
Durham University graduate Tasha’s other hobbies include going to the theatre and travelling.
The new series of Great British Bake Off begins on September 26 on Channel 4.
Main photo: Channel 4
Read next:
- Bristol’s secret Bake Off ingredient
- Bristol baker wins Great British Bake Off 2021
- Meet Briony, Bristol’s new Great British Bake Off contestant
Listen to the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
