Each series of The Great British Bake Off brings us someone who simply endears themselves to our hearts. They may not always have the technical know-how or the fabulous creativity to win the show, but their stories and personalities keep us tuned in.
In the past, it has been Tasha Stones and Sandro Farmhouse (series 13), Selasi Gbormittah (series seven) and Ruby Tandoh (series four).
Two episodes in, and Nelly Ghaffar has already emerged as one of our top favourites. The palliative care assistant, who likens herself to a scone, caught the nation's hearts when she shared her experiences of miscarriages on the show.
Here’s everything we know about Nelly…
How old is Bake Off’s Nelly?
Nelly is 44 years old.
Where is Bake Off’s Nelly from?
Born in Slovakia, Nelly grew up there with her father. She moved to Austria to study nursing, before she moved to the UK. She now lives in Dorset with her husband Chand and their two young sons.
What does Bake Off’s Nelly do?
Nelly has a busy job in night-time palliative care. She’s also a devoted wife to husband Chand and mum to their two young sons.
When did Bake Off’s Nelly learn to bake?
Nelly is completely self-taught. Her dad loved to bake bread, but wasn’t keen on sweet baking, so it was only as an adult that she expanded her skills when she tried a neighbour’s gingerbread recipe. She loves adding the flavours of Slovakian cuisine into her bakes, as well as spices representing her husband’s Pakistani heritage, with apple and cinnamon among her favourite ingredients.
(TW) What did Bake Off’s Nelly say about miscarriage?
Nelly opened up about her experiences with miscarriage, revealing she has had five miscarriages. In a moving segment on the show, she explained why she had baked five stars and a forest for Biscuit Week, which had an extra-special significance.
‘So these stars represent my five unborn children,’ she said. ‘This was twins, and they belong there. Even if you don’t birth them, you carry them in you. All your life, you’ve got the genes in. So I can’t miss them on my show, can I?’
Nelly went on to say, ‘The forest represents all these horrible obstacles which we have to do in our life. And it’s dark and it’s painful. But in every tunnel, in every forest, is a light. Maybe small, teeny-weeny, but it will get there. And then it’s going to be a big one.’
Nelly said afterwards, ‘This story was dedicated to my husband. I struggle a lot with every loss but he was the one who hold me high… fight his grief and mine. He is the rock of my life.’
Her openness touched a chord with viewers. ‘My wife and I were crying watching this, you spoke so beautifully about something that has impacted so many of us! Then you went back to making us laugh just a few minutes later. Thank you for sharing this, it is so powerful!’ one watcher said.
Another commented, ‘Nelly, you are saving someone by speaking of this. What a beautiful way to remember your little ones,’ and baby loss charity Tommy’s added, ‘Always here for you Nelly. So sorry for your losses.’
Shereen Low is a Senior News and Entertainment writer for Grazia.