Great British Bake Off star Dawn Hollyoak has died at the age of 61, with her cause of death yet to be revealed.
The former IT manager's family announced the news on her Instagram page with an image of Hollyoak posing with a cup of tea, as the caption read: "It's with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our star baker Dawn.
"Not only a wonderfully talented baker but first and foremost an amazing mother, grandmother, wife and friend. Dawn passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. We will miss her forever, but promise to continue her baking legacy!"
Paul Hollywood was the first to pay tribute to Hollyoak and commented on the post: "I'm so sorry to hear that, send my love to the family a lovely lady."
Carole Edwards, who appeared on the same series of the competition and was eliminated the week before Dawn, also paid tribute to her beloved friend and said: "I will miss my friend terribly, a beautiful and talented lady inside and out, fly high my friend, life just won't be the same without you.
"Sending all my love to the family. Xx."
Bake Off 2021 winner Giuseppe Dell'Anno penned: "This is devastating news… I only met Dawn once, but I was blown away by her joyous personality and her infectious smile.
"She will be sorely missed, but will live in the heart of those who loved her forever!"
Fans of the brilliant baker were also left saddened by the news, as one fan wrote: "Sending all my love, she was a great person."
"So sorry! Sending a lot of love to all the family," another added before someone else noted: "Dawn's warmth and passion for family and sharing good food together shone through when she supported our Afternoon Tea campaign. We are devastated to hear this news and are all thinking of her loved ones."
Dawn appeared in the 2021 series of the baking competition
INSTAGRAM/CHANNEL 4
The sad news comes after Hollyoak addressed an illness and said she was feeling "a bit poorly" in her last Instagram post before she passed away, which was shared 10 months ago.
She showcased her skills once again after posting a lion-shaped cake which she prepared, as she wished good luck to England's women's football team and said: "I've been a bit poorly since my lovely holiday but couldn't resist posting a cake from my archive.
"Lion cake to wish our girls the very best of luck today. @lionesses #womensfootball #lionesses #itscake #hypertealistic." (sic)
During her time on the show, the beloved baker earned the judges' praises for her baking crafts but was eventually eliminated during Halloween Week in episode 6.
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Her last post before she died showed off her talents
Hollyoak prided herself on her steady hand and attention to detail, especially when it came to the intricacy required for lace patterns on biscuits.
Her favourite flavours when baking were lemon, salted caramel and anything nutty.
