The Great British Bake Off contestant Dawn Holyoake has died aged 61.
Her family announced the sad news on Hollyoaks. Instagram On Friday, he shared the news “with a heavy heart.”
“She was not only an incredibly talented baker, but first and foremost an amazing mother, grandmother, wife and friend,” the statement read. “Dawn passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. We will forever miss her, but we promise to continue her baking legacy!”
The cause of death has not been revealed.
Holly, a former IT manager who competed on the baking show in 2022, was hailed as a “beautiful soul” and a “joy” by friends, family and fans.
“So sorry to hear this, sending love to the family, beautiful lady,” wrote Paul Hollywood, one of the judges on the show.
“I will miss my friend terribly, she is a beautiful and talented lady inside and out, fly high my friend, life wouldn’t be the same without you,” commented fellow contestant Carol Edwards on the same season as Holyoke. “Sending all my love to the family.”
“This is devastating news,” wrote Giuseppe Delano, the 2021 winner. “I only met Don once, but I was struck by her cheerful personality and her joyful smile. She will be sorely missed, but she will live on in the hearts of those who loved her forever.”
As described the biography On the show’s official website, Hollyoaks loved the “illusion cake challenge” — “the more impossible it seemed the better” — and enjoyed the “weird and intricate designs” to show off her creativity.
The bio continues: “She prides herself on her steady hand and attention to detail, especially when it comes to the intricacy required for lace patterns on cookies. Her favorite flavors are lemon, salted caramel, and anything with nuts in it.”
Holyoke, from Bedfordshire, England, was eliminated from the baking competition series during Halloween week, the people.
“I don’t really want to shed any tears over it,” she said at the time. “It was a really amazing experience, one of the best experiences of my life. I’m really proud of what I did. I had so much fun.”
Holyoak is survived by three sons, two stepchildren, and four grandchildren.
. “Professional creator. Lifelong thinker. Reader. Beer buff. Troublemaker. Evil problem solver.”