Who is David Atherton on the Great British Bake Off? Meet the GBBO 2019 contestant with survival skills

With a passion for bread-making, a favourite for Paul Hollywood, how long will he last in the famous white tent when pitted against 12 other bakers?

David Atherton: Key facts

Name: David Atherton

Age: 36

From: London

Occupation: International health adviser

Twitter: @nomadbakerdavid

Instagram: @nomadbakerdavid

Who is David Atherton?

The 36-year-old Yorkshire native never had shop-bought loaves while growing up. His mother was an avid home baker who never left her family without freshly baked bread.

Through his job as an international health adviser, David has been able to travel the world, and it was in Malawi that he learned to use his skills even without equipment, building an oven out of an oil drum and figuring out how to steam cook a cake over a village fire.

Although he has developed a broad repertoire while preparing for the show, he is not fussed with fancy, colourful icings and prefers robust flavours and good, solid bakes.

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David has been a massive fan of the show since the first series. “I have watched Bake Off from the start, and I have daydreamed so many times walking to work about being in it for such a long time,” he said. “When I got accepted it was such a mixture of emotions. Then I thought this is really crazy, am I good enough, will I have enough time to practice?

“You feel like royalty walking into the tent, you have a runner looking after you, bringing you drinks. It’s very different to ordinary life, and a fantastic experience.”

David thinks his pottery class will be the most surprised to see him on the show. “I bring bakes to the class each week and they kept encouraging me to apply,” he said.

Read more about The Great British Bake Off

• Your guide to The Great British Bake Off
• Where GBBO if filmed
• How to apply for next year’s GBBO
• Past winners – where the GBBO contestants are now

When is the Great British Bake Off 2019 on TV?

Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood returned as judges for the 10th series, alongside presenting duo Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding.

The show started on Channel 4 at 8pm on 27th August, with the bakers keeping us company for 10 weeks.

A fashion designer, a veterinary surgeon and a theatre manager are also in the mix to compete for the coveted Bake Off trophy.

The Great British Bake Off is on Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 4.