Meet Janusz, Great British Bake Off 2022 contestant and personal assistant
The Polish PA is bringing his "cartoon-like, colourful and camp" baking style to GBBO.
Bake Off favourite Janusz has made it all the way to the 2022 semi-finals, with the Polish PA taking on the judges' patisserie challenge in tonight's episode.
While this year's Great British Bake Off has seen some amazing bakes, there's some fierce competition this year, with the likes of Syabira winning Star Baker three times in a row, Janusz picking up the title twice and Sandro delivering some of the judges' favourite treats.
They'll also be going up against the dark horse of the competition, Abdul, who may not have won Star Baker so far but has been consistent throughout the series.
Speaking to Radio Times magazine ahead of tonight's semi-final, Janusz revealed that he put himself to work the minute he heard he was going on the show.
"There were many days I was baking morning until night, trying to get the flavours right," he said – and it seemed to pay off, with the 34-year-old adding that his all-time high so far in the competition was becoming Star Baker in Cake Week.
"I honestly expected to be going home first as I saw what the other bakers had planned."
Here's everything you need to know about Janusz as he joins the Great British Bake Off 2022 line-up.
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Who is Janusz?
Age: 34
From: East Sussex
Job: Personal Assistant to Head Teacher
While now based in East Sussex, 34-year-old Janusz grew up in Poland and was inspired to bake by his mother, who always baked on Saturdays – a tradition he's kept up since moving away from home to go to university.
Janusz, who is a personal assistant to a head teacher, moved to the UK 10 years ago and currently lives on the southeast coast with his boyfriend Simon and their sausage dog Nigel. Aside from baking, Janusz is a big fan of internet culture, collecting movie props and watching drag, having previously bought his boyfriend a statue of Drag Race UK's RuPaul.
Janusz describes his baking style as "cartoon-like, colourful and camp", with the 34-year-old often working Polish ingredients into British staples, while his favourite flavours are ginger and chocolate.
What has Janusz said about signing up for Bake Off?
"Being on GBBO was something I never thought I would be able to achieve. It was my third attempt and it was actually my boyfriend that applied for me each year without me knowing!" Janusz said about applying for the show.
"The audition process was SO much fun and each year I became more and more determined to prove to myself that I could do it. When I got the call to confirm my place this year I was convinced I was being pranked! It was the biggest moment of my life so far and I was SO proud of myself… but then the reality of what was coming sunk in and I put myself to work!"
When does The Great British Bake Off 2022 start?
The Great British Bake Off returned on Tuesday 13th September at 8pm on Channel 4, with episodes available to watch on catch-up on All 4.
Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood will be back to judge a series of brand new bakes from this year's contestants as episodes air on a weekly basis every Tuesday.
Get to know some of the other season 13 GBBO contestants:
- Meet Maxy, Great British Bake Off 2022 contestant and architectural assistant
- Meet Rebs, Great British Bake Off 2022 contestant and student
- Meet Abdul, Great British Bake Off 2022 contestant and electronics engineer
- Meet Will, Great British Bake Off 2022 contestant and DIY enthusiast
- Meet James, Great British Bake Off 2022 contestant and nuclear scientist
- Meet Kevin, Great British Bake Off 2022 contestant and music teacher
- Meet Sandro, Great British Bake Off 2022 contestant and nanny
- Meet Dawn, Great British Bake Off 2022 contestant and IT manager
- Meet Maisam, Great British Bake Off 2022 contestant and student
- Meet Syabira, Great British Bake Off 2021 contestant and avid gamer
- Meet Carole, Great British Bake Off 2022 contestant and supermarket cashier
The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 and All 4 on Tuesdays at 8pm. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide, or visit our hub for more Entertainment news.
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