Soldier turned stuntwoman, Sophie, from Suffolk, among Great British Bake Off contestants

Left to right: Steven, Tom, Julia, Liam, Kate, Sophie, Stacey, Peter, Flo, James, Yan and Chris, the contestants in Channel 4's cookery contest, The Great British Bake Off. Picture: Picture: MARK BOURDILLON/CHANNEL 4 TELIVISION/PA WIRE

Sophie, 33, who now lives in Surrey with her boyfriend and a cat named Loki, is among the 12-strong batch of hopefuls, according to Channel 4.

A former officer in the Royal Artillery, Sophie did not discover her talent for baking until she volunteered to make a friend’s birthday cake. The psychology graduate has also developed a passion for patisserie.

The judges and presenters for The Great British Bake Off (left to right) Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig. Picture: CHANNEL 4 TELIVISION/PA WIRE

When not baking, Sophie enjoys track cycling, rowing and teaching military boot camps – and is also training to be a stuntwoman.

A health and safety inspector, a software developer who has survived cancer and a banker are among the others hoping to rise to the occasion.

The popular baking series returns to air with its new broadcaster on Tuesday, August 29, at 8pm, following much controversy since news of its departure from the BBC was confirmed last year.

Contestants include Peter, 52, from Essex, who lived in Nigeria from the age of seven and moved back to the United Kingdom when he was 24. He has a wife, Tito and two children – Temi and Toni.

Sophie is one of the contestants in Channel 4's cookery contest, The Great British Bake Off. Picture: MARK BOURDILLON/CHANNEL 4 TELIVISION/PA WIRE (Image: Archant)

He was bitten by the baking bug eight years ago, when he started making his own bread. When he’s not kneading dough he loves running on the beach, spinning, playing chess and badminton.

James, 46, is also from Essex and describes himself as a bald, baking banker. He was taught to bake by his father more than 40 years ago, and grows his own fruit and vegetables to incorporate into his recipes.

Sophie, original ly from Suffolk but now living in Surrey, taking part in the new series of The Great British Bake Off. Photo: Mark Bourdillon / Channel 4 (Image: © Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/Channel4 (Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) CHANNEL 4 PICTURE)

James lives in Essex with his wife Ann, sons Oliver and Ethan, and their three chickens.

Peter, from Essex, taking part in the new series of The Great British Bake Off. Photo: Mark Bourdillon / Channel 4 (Image: © Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/Channel4 (Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) CHANNEL 4 PICTURE)

Peter, from Essex, taking part in the new series of The Great British Bake Off. Photo: Mark Bourdillon / Channel 4 (Image: © Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/Channel4 (Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) CHANNEL 4 PICTURE)

James, from Essex, taking part in the new series of The Great British Bake Off. Photo: Mark Bourdillon / Channel 4 (Image: © Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/Channel4 (Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) CHANNEL 4 PICTURE)

James, from Essex, taking part in the new series of The Great British Bake Off. Photo: Mark Bourdillon / Channel 4 (Image: © Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/Channel4 (Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) CHANNEL 4 PICTURE)