Bake Off star’s heartbreaking final post before death shared incredible cake and said ‘I’ve been sick’

Great British Bake Off star Dawn Hollyoak sadly passed away this week, and fans who visited her Instagram page saw that her heartbreaking final post from last year showed off her incredible baking skills.

Dawn, who was 61, appeared in the 2022 series of the Channel 4 show and was the sixth baker to leave the tent.

After taking part in the cooking competition, she regularly posted pictures of her creations on social media, including an incredible cake featuring a caddy and golf clubs that she made for her son’s 30th birthday last summer, and a huge strawberry cake to celebrate Wimbledon Fortnight in July last year.

Her last post was in August 2023, where she shared a picture of a stunning lion’s head cake just days after returning from a holiday in Kefalonia.

Her caption read: “Felt a bit under the weather since my lovely holiday but couldn’t resist posting a cake from my archives. A lion cake to wish our girls luck today. #womensfootball #lionesses.”

The cake was a tribute to the England women’s football team who were playing in the World Cup final on the day she posted the photo.

The former IT executive’s death was announced on her Instagram page on Friday, July 5. The post read: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our star baker Dawn. Not only a wonderfully talented baker, but most importantly an amazing mother, grandmother, wife and friend.”

“Dawn passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. She will always be missed, but we promise to carry on her baking legacy!” The message was signed with a simple white heart.

Tributes have poured in from Bake Off fans and friends.

Guiseppe Dell’Anno, winner of the 2021 competition, wrote: “This is devastating news… I only met Dawn once, but I was blown away by her joyful personality and infectious smile. She will be greatly missed, but will live on forever in the hearts of those who loved her!”

The official page for The Great British Bake Off posted: “We are so sorry to hear this news. Thinking of your family and sending you lots of love,” while judge Paul Hollywood wrote: “I am so sorry to hear this, sending my love to the family, a lovely lady x.”

Bake Off 2021’s George Aristidou added: “We never got to make these Dawn koupes… Absolutely devastated to hear this very sad news. RIP and my condolences to all your family and friends x.”