A FORMER primary school head teacher from Somerset is set to star in the smash-hit Great British Bake Off on BBC 1.

Val, 66, from Yeovil but originally from Conisbrough, will pick up her whisk and oven gloves when she stars in the show, which is set to return to our screens on Wednesday, August 24.

Last year’s show was won by Nadiya Hussain, and with 15 million people tuning in every week, Val is hoping to win this year’s top prize.

Her culinary expertise will be stringently examined by expert chefs and hosts, Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry, and will go up against 11 other amateur bakers.

Her description from the BBC reads: “Val has been at the helm of the kitchen now for more than 60 years.

“She says her style is traditional and she can make the classics with her eyes closed, but she also enjoys searching the internet, finding new recipes.

“Now semi-retired, she still works two days a week as a substitute teacher.

“She loves incorporating baking into her teaching so that the children can grow up with as much passion for it as she did.

“In her spare time Val loves to exercise and can often be found doing aerobics in her kitchen whilst she waits for her jam to boil or her bread to prove.”

She will be up against Andrew, 25, from Derby, Benjamina, 23, from South London, Candice, 31, from North London, Jane, 61, from Beckenham, Kate, 37, from Norfolk, Lee, 67, Bolton, Louise, 46, from Cardiff, Michael, aged 20, from London, Rav, 28, from Kent, Selasi, aged 30, from London, and Tom, 26, from Rochdale.

The Great British Bake Off kicks off on Wednesday, August 24, at 8pm on BBC1, and will be fronted by presenting duo Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc