![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-whaite-now-760295687.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWHEN it comes to showstopping transformations, this batch of talented stars is hard to beat.<\/p>\n
The Great British Bake Off has served up some memorable characters over the years, from future TV stars like Candice Brown and Nadia Hussain to bodybuilders and Strictly hunks.<\/p>\n
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So it's no surprise that since it first fired up its ovens in 2010, some contestants look a world away from how they did on the show.<\/p>\n
As series 14 begins tonight, we look at the former hopefuls who look unrecognisable.<\/p>\n
Former Bake Off winner John Whaite won over the nation for a second time in 2021, following his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing.<\/p>\n
Paired with professional Johannes Radebe, they were the first ever male same-sex pairing on the show and reached the final.<\/p>\n
Last month, he shocked fans by revealing how he "fell in love" with his dance partner and nearly became a victim of the "Strictly curse"<\/p>\n Ten years ago, John was rocking a Justin Bieber-style sweeping fringe, which he has switched for a modern cut and stubble.<\/p>\n Not only that, but the baker has hit the gym and beefed up – showing off the results on Instagram and, more recently, his OnlyFans.<\/p>\n Lithuanian star Ugne Bubnaityte starred on Bake Off during its BBC days in 2015.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Both Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry branded her ice cream roll \u201ca mess\u201d and she was the fifth contestant to get the boot.<\/p>\n However, she has enjoyed major success in her other favourite hobby: body-building.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Recent photographs show off her chiselled abs, very deep tan and silver locks where her blonde bob used to be.<\/p>\n The mum-of-two, who has scooped some impressive wins in competitive body-building, still loves to bake and shows off some mouth-watering delights on Instagram.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been over a decade since Cathryn Dresser graced our screens on the show\u2019s third ever season.<\/p>\n The young mum, who was then in her mid-20s, has gone on to become a successful author.<\/p>\n Cathryn, who was a brunette on the show, has traded in for a bolder look, often sporting bright pink hair.<\/p>\n Posts from her Instagram show that she is still a keen baker, but is also enjoying family time and other hobbies like yoga.<\/p>\n Fan favourite Candice Brown often left Paul Hollywood speechless and won the 2016 series after wowing with a "humdinger of a showstopper" royal picnic.<\/p>\n Since Bake Off, the former teacher has appeared at food festivals and regularly pops up on TV.<\/p>\n Having split from her husband of two years in 2020, the baker now owns a country pub called The Green Man and writes cookery books.<\/p>\n Known for her dark brown hair and maroon lipstick, Candice has done a 180 and is now a blonde bombshell, rocking a colourful look.<\/p>\n Back in 2013, Ruby Tandoh shot to fame on Bake Off, before going on to release a whole range of cookbooks.<\/p>\n While her love of baking appears unchanged, her hairstyle is radically different – now much longer and dyed a stunning lilac.<\/p>\n A highlight of series nine, finalist Kim-Joy Hewlett and her sparkling personality wowed viewers with a string of colourful bakes.<\/p>\n Since her TV appearance, she has gone from strength to strength and even released three cookbooks.<\/p>\n Perhaps it is her growing confidence that has led to a bold change in hair colour from her natural dark brown to a series of bright shades.<\/p>\n Her Instagram has documented her hair journey as she ping-pongs between pink and orange locks.<\/p>\n Hailing from the 2011 line-up, Ben Frazer has opted for an bushierlook in recent years.<\/p>\n The avid baker grew an impressive handlebar moustache after his TV appearance, which he proudly shows off on social media.<\/p>\n Former British Army officer Sophie Faldo baked her way to the top in 2017.<\/p>\n Since her win, she has started her own business, Sophie Faldo Cakes, which specialises in custom confections for weddings and other events.<\/p>\n She also gives fans a glimpse into her glamorous life away from the tent, jetting off for sun-soaked holidays and showcasing her stylish outfits on social media.<\/p>\n Fan favourite Tom Hetherington was labelled the most \u201cdapper\u201d contestant on the show back in 2017.<\/p>\n However, he looks even hunkier today as the photogenic baker keeps his 33,700 Instagram followers up to date with his life.<\/p>\n He even stripped down to speedos in one holiday snap, revealing his ripped physique five years on from his TV breakthrough.<\/p>\n Imelda McCarron baked in the famous tent for just a single episode back in 2018.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/TM-comp-Angela-Rippon.jpg\")
<\/picture>STRICT SECRET <\/span><\/p>\nAngela Rippon's Strictly game plan revealed including diet & beauty regime<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/KH-COMP-TOWIE.jpg\")
<\/picture>WOWIE<\/span><\/p>\nDramatic Towie body transformations – from 14st weight loss to unrecognisable star<\/h3>\n
Ugne Bubnaityte<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bake-off-contestants-biggest-transformations-759402018.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
<\/p>\nMost read in Reality<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/use-21-days-issue-use-763149696-10.jpg\")
<\/picture>WALTZING ON <\/span><\/p>\nStrictly legend makes sensational return to show four years after quitting<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/crop-24130637.jpg\")
<\/picture>UNLUCKY IN LOVE <\/span><\/p>\nMy Mum, Your Dad’s Natalie fights back tears over split with Paul<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/newspress-collage-24117148-1695639533246.jpg\")
<\/picture>AMAZEY <\/span><\/p>\nMy Mum, Your Dad’s Zach breaks silence on show romance as kids \u2018hooked up\u2019<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DD-COMP-BAKE-OFF-CONTROVERSIES-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>CURRANT AFFAIRS <\/span><\/p>\nGBBO’s biggest controversies – from squirrel drama to fridge row & Bin-gate<\/h3>\n
Cathryn Dresser<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bake-off-biggest-transformations-cathryn-760277962.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
<\/p>\nCandice Brown<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bake-off-contestants-biggest-transformations-760290821.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
<\/p>\nRuby Tandoh<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bake-off-contestants-biggest-transformations-759402019.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
<\/p>\nKim-Joy Hewlett<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/kim-joy-bake-off-transformations-759409450.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
<\/p>\nBen Frazer<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/https-mobile-twitter-com-benjfrazer-760286344.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSophie Faldo<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bake-off-now-sophie-faldo-760298551.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTom Hetherington<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bake-off-now-tom-hetherington-760298552-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nImelda McCarron<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/msemail_JD-IMELDAjpg-JS760298519.jpg\")
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