A London firefighter will be braving the heat when he steps into the kitchen for the Great British Bake Off.

Mat Riley, who works at east Greenwich fire station, is one of 12 contestants competing for Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood’s approval on the new series of the show, which starts tonight (August 5).

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The 37-year-old, who began baking three years ago in between shifts with London Fire Brigade, describes himself as a ‘competent amateur’.

He is a master of simple cakes, biscuits, bread, pastries and pies – and prefers sweet over savoury baking.

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Mr Riley said: "Working shifts enabled me to have free time and I wanted to make the most of it so I started baking.

“I entered as a bit of a joke and I thought: ‘I can’t keep getting through the audition rounds’ - and then I finally ended up on the show.

"It’s all been surreal.
 
“I’m always bringing in cakes for my watch so they’ve been good judges of my skills but I think lots of people are going to be surprised when they see me on the show.”

The fire fighter lives with his wife, and says his ambition is to own a dishwasher.

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