It's often said that food brings people together, and this year's GBBO wannabes are testament to that. 

The dozen promising patissiers include a body builder, a fire fighter and, most surprisingly, the Dalai Lama's personal photographer.

Alvin, 37

Nurse Alvin is originally from the Philippines but now lives in Berkshire with his wife and their two children.

He began baking when he questioned why he was buying bread and cakes when he owned an oven.

Not one to do things by halves, Alvin now bakes at least four times a week and once baked bread every day for three weeks until he felt he'd cracked it.

Flora, 19

This year's youngest baker is Flora, who works as an assistant at a contemporary art gallery in Scotland.

While she waits to start her history of art degree, Flora regularly bakes for her family, often filling the freezer with ingredients for her makes.

Having been brought up by a family of bakers, Flora's toughest critics are her two younger sisters.

Dorret, 53

Inspired by regular visits to Michelin-starred restaurants with her husband, accountant Dorret dreams of studing at the Cordon Bleu school in Paris.

When she isn't baking, experimenting or hosting dinner parties, Dorret enjoys burning off all the cake through ballet, salsa and tap dancing.

Ian, 41

Travel photographer Ian lives in Cambridgeshire with his wife and their two children, where he often spends his days building giant catapults and zip wires for the kids.

He's also passionate about foraging, and uses his finds in his baking.

When he's not creating play things or rummaging in the undergrowth, Ian has the honour of being the Dalai Lama's personal photographer when he visits the UK.

Marie, 66

Marie's children can remember a time when their mum couldn't so much as boil an egg. 

After the family moved to Paris when Marie was in her thirties, however, she was inspired by the abundance of French patisseries and learned to bake.

While she enjoys making show-stopping decorations, she's just as happy baking bread for her grandchildren's packed lunches.

Mat, 37

Firefighter Mat learned to bake between his shifts in the London Fire Brigade.

Although he prefers sweet goods, he's also mastered bread and pies since he started baking three years ago.

He said he "learns every time he bakes," but his new-found hobby means he is now in need of a dishwasher.

Nadiya, 30

Fulltime mum Nadiya learned to bake after she wondered why the only dessert her father's restaurant sold was ice cream.

In Bangladesh, where family originally hails from, desserts are not a big feature at mealtimes, so it was thanks to a school home economics teacher that Nadiya learned about the joy of pudding.

Having put her career on hold to raise her three children, Nadiya is looking forward to a new adventure.

Paul, 49

Prison governor and former Coldstream Guard Paul wants to prove that "men live me, stereotyped by our jobs, do and can love baking and that it is a skill and talent to be proud of."

To make his creations extra-special, Paul uses intricate skills like sugar-work to make his bakes look brilliant.

When he isn't working, he enjoys enjoys exploring the Welsh countryside with his wife and their three sons.

Sandy, 49

Sandy has been baking since childhood, and uses her food to show her family, friends and colleagues that she cares about them.

She works as a child welfare officer in Bradford, where she also runs a cookery club, teaching children from deprived backgrounds to bake on a budget.

Stu, 35

Professional musician Stu may have toured the world as lead singer o his band, but it was in the kitchen of his parents' restaurant that his fascination for baking began.

He says he was amazed how "something liquid could go in and out would come this fluffed-up awesomeness."

His travels have inspired his cooking, and he enjoys experimenting with different flavour combinations, especially Middle Eastern spices.

Tamal, 29

Trainee anaesthetist Tamal has arguably already won the world's greatest baking accolade after his sister asked him to bake her wedding cake.

It was his sister than taught him how to bake, and she clearly did a good job: after her wedding, the requests have continued to flood in from friends and family to bake their wedding cakes too. The largest one he's made had five tiers.

Ugne, 32

PA and administrator Ugne loves making English bakes including bread, pies and pastries, but she also incorporates Lithuanian flavours and methods to remind her of her home.

When she's not working or baking, Ugne is a bodybuilder, and she lives in Essex with her bodybuilder partner and their two young children.

Tune into BBC One on Wednesday 5th August at 8pm to watch the bakers face their first challenge: cake.