Two UK Cypriots competing in return of Great British Bake Off

Two Cypriots are among the contestants of the Great British Bake Off to start airing next week in Channel 4, it emerged on Tuesday.

Among the 12 contestants are two people with Greek Cypriot heritage, who said their families greatly influenced their baking styles.

One of them, Amanda, 56, is a detective with the Metropolitan Police in London, who said her baking is heavily influenced by her Greek Cypriot heritage.

She was raised in London. As a child she baked with her mother, and she learned specifically about Greek baking from her paternal auntie.

She says she learned to bake as a child with her mum and auntie before studying graphic design and working in advertising, then moving to the police.

Amanda described her style as generous and creative with Greek and Middle Eastern influences.

The other contestant is George, 34, also from London, who is a shared lives co-ordinator.

According to his entry introduction, George grew up in a close-knit Greek-Cypriot family where food was always a big part of family life.

He said his mother taught him to bake and now he is passing on this legacy to his own, three children. George said he loves all the Greek classics and his flavours often include home-grown herbs while he likes to give his bakes a touch of class with a shabby-chic, vintage vibe.

The show will return for its 12th series on September 21.