A ‘SELF-TAUGHT’ baker from Dorset has survived another week on Channel 4’s hit show, The Great British Bake Off.

Nelly, 44, is a palliative care assistant from Dorset and is currently a contestant on the popular TV show which sees 12 amateur bakers compete.

She is being supported by her employers, UK end of life charity, Marie Curie.

Nelly is described as a “devoted mum” to her two sons, who are big fans of her bakes alongside her husband.

She grew up with her dad in Slovakia before moving to Austria to study nursing.

Nelly said her dad enjoyed baking bread but not sweet treats, which prompted her to teach herself as an adult after trying her neighbour’s gingerbread recipe.

She enjoys adding Slovakian cuisine flavours to her bakes as well as spices from her husband’s Pakistani heritage.

Shared by Marie Curie, The Great British Bake Off said about Nelly: “Alongside her busy job in night-time palliative care, Nelly is a devoted mum to two young boys, who, with her husband Farhan, are the biggest fans of her bakes.

“Nelly grew up with her dad in Slovakia, then moved to Austria to study nursing.

“Her dad loved to bake bread but wasn’t keen on sweet baking, so it was only as an adult, after she had attempted a neighbour’s gingerbread recipe, that Nelly extended her skills.

“Completely self-taught, Nelly loves adding the flavours of Slovakian cuisine into her bakes, as well as spices representing her husband’s Pakistani heritage – apple and cinnamon are among her favourite ingredients.

“Nelly indulges her creative talents making jewellery, and is a big fan of true crime.”

Nelly is not Dorset’s first baking star, with Maggie Richardson previously competing on the show.

Maggie, a Christchurch resident and retired NHS midwife, appeared on the programme in series 12 in 2021.

The show’s latest episode, aired on October 1, saw two bakers leave the tent after contestant Jeff fell ill and Hazel was eliminated.

This year’s youngest contestant, 19-year-old Sumayah, was announced as the episode’s Star Baker by presenter Noel Fielding.

The Great British Bake Off continues next week on Channel 4.