Northern Ireland's Iain Ross Joins Great British Bake Off 2025

Iain Ross, a 29-year-old software engineer from Coleraine, is set to represent Northern Ireland in the upcoming series of The Great British Bake Off 2025.

 

Currently residing in Belfast with his girlfriend, Dervla, and their cat, Viktor, Iain has transitioned from amateur powerlifting to becoming a self-proclaimed "Yeastie Boy," focusing on sourdough bread.

 

He creatively incorporates album cover art onto his loaves, blending classic flavors with innovative twists, often using fermented fruits and vegetables to enhance depth and complexity.

 

Reflecting on his journey to the tent, Iain shared, "When me and my girlfriend Dervla watch every year, she says at the end of every episode that I need to apply. This past year she wouldn’t take no for an answer, so I finally caved and applied."

 

He added, "Every step of the way I kept it a secret from everyone apart from Dervla, I didn’t think I’d make it to the following stage and I didn’t want to let anyone down. Then when I got the call to confirm my place I was in sheer disbelief, I had no idea it would actually happen. I thought it was a prank at first."

 

Upon entering the tent for the first time, Iain remarked, "I genuinely felt like I was watching it on TV whenever I was walking into the tent. I also did that thing where you think about how you’re walking and then you forget how to walk, so I was mainly focusing on not tripping during my first 10 seconds in the tent to really appreciate how wild it actually was."

 

Over the years, Northern Ireland has seen several bakers participate in the show, each leaving their unique imprint.

 

Rebecca "Rebs" Lightbody, a 23-year-old from Ballymena, joined the competition in 2022. Despite her enthusiasm, she faced a double elimination in week four during Mexican Week. Prior to her exit, Rebs and fellow contestant Abdul Rehman Sharif missed Bread Week due to illness, leading to no eliminations that week.

 

Mark Lutton, known as "The Baking Buddha," hails from Portadown. He participated in the 2020 series, reaching week six before being eliminated during Japanese Week. Mark's journey was marked by his love for baking, which began during his university days in Edinburgh.

 

Imelda McCarron, a countryside recreation officer from Dromore, took part in the 2018 series. Despite being the first to leave that year, she described her experience as "one of the best" of her life.

 

Andrew Smyth, originally from Holywood, was a finalist in 2016. An aerospace engineer by profession, Andrew impressed judges with his technical designs, including a moving set of gear-shaped savory pies inspired by Leonardo da Vinci.

 

Iain Watters, a Belfast-born construction engineer, is perhaps best remembered for the "bin-gate" incident in 2014. After his Baked Alaska melted, he discarded it in frustration, leading to his departure from the show.

 

As the new season approaches, fans eagerly anticipate how Iain Ross will fare in the tent. With his unique approach to baking and determination, he aims to make Northern Ireland proud.

 

The Great British Bake Off Series 16 starts September 2. Stream or watch from 8pm on Channel 4.