Bake Off star's death announced as heartbroken Paul Hollywood leads tributes

ok.co.uk:

Great British Bake Off star Dawn Hollyoak has sadly passed away at the age of 61.The much-loved baker appeared in the 2022 series of the Channel 4 show.The former IT manager, who was the sixth baker to leave the tent in her series of the TV hit, died peacefully surrounded by her family and loved ones.The news was announced on the Instagram page she used to post her cooking creations with an announcement that read: "It's with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our star baker Dawn.

Not only a wonderfully talented baker but first and foremost an amazing mother, grandmother, wife and friend. "Dawn passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.

We will miss her forever, but promise to continue her baking legacy!" The message was signed off with a single white heart. While the cause of death remains unknown, tributes have poured in from the wider Bake Off community, including long-standing judge Paul Hollywood, who wrote: "I'm so sorry to hear that, send my love to the family a lovely lady x." Fellow contestant Carole Edwards, who left just before Dawn, wrote: "I will miss my friend terribly, a beautiful and talented lady inside and out, fly high my friend, life just won't be the same without you.

Sending all my love to the family. Xx." A third co-star, Giuseppe Dell'Anno, wrote: "This is devastating news… I only met Dawn once, but I was blown away by her joyous personality and her infectious smile.