'Great British Bake Off' Contestants Warned About Online Trolls, As New Series Welcomes Youngest Baker Ever

'Bake Off' Contestants Warned About Online Trolls
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Contestants on the new series of ‘Great British Bake Off’ have reportedly been warned by BBC bosses not to engage with online trolls, ahead of the series launch on Wednesday night.

According to The Telegraph, the show’s producers have given the new bakers a set of guidelines about how to react if they encounter any “negative exchanges” online, advising them not to publicly use any bad language on Facebook and Twitter.

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Some of this year's 'Bake Off' contestants

It’s also claimed they’ve been warned not to “read, engage or focus” with any abuse or negative comments they find online.

The newspaper goes on to say that the 12 new bakers will all be in “constant dialogue” with producers and publicists, and will be offered help dealing with any online abuse that may be thrown their way.

The reported new measures come as the series is about to debut its youngest ever contestant, 17-year-old Martha Collison, who is already an active Twitter user, while the show’s launch is expected to achieve record viewing figures thanks to its move from BBC Two to BBC One.

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Martha Collison, the youngest 'Bake Off' contestant ever

Since last year’s series, finalist Ruby Tandoh wrote a newspaper article, claiming she was “shocked” by the “vitriol” and “nastiness” she had received online over the course of her time on the show, adding that she felt that it was all because she was a woman.

She had been accused by viewers of flirting with judge Paul Hollywood, and trying to manipulate situations by crying, which she vehemently denied.

The new series of ‘Great British Bake Off’ kicks off on Wednesday, 6 August at 8pm on BBC One, with Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry returning as judges, and comedy duo Mel and Sue fulfilling hosting duties.

Here are the 12 new contestants you’ll be getting to know in the upcoming weeks...

The Great British Bake Off 2014
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Kate, 41, From SussexKate lives in Brighton with her five-year-old daughter. Last year, she baked 15 Christmas cakes and prides herself on rarely using recipes or weighing ingredients. (credit:BBC/Love)
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Iain, 31, From London Iain, originally from Belfast, is inspired by his passion for travel. (credit:BBC/Love)
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Enwezor, 39 From HampshireEnwezor taught himself to bake in the last 3 years. Born in North London, he now lives in Portsmouth with his wife and four children. (credit:BBC/Love)
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Martha, 17, From BerkshireMartha is the Bake Off's youngest ever contestant.She's currently studying for A-Levels and hopes to become a Food Scientist. (credit:BBC/Love)
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Norman, 66, From ScotlandNorman joined the Merchant Navy at the age of 19, bit his father and brother were bakers. He's hoping to bring back traditional Scottish recipes. (credit:BBC/Love)
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Richard, 38 From London Richard made his own wedding cake - in the shape of the Millenium Falcon from 'Star Wars'. (credit:BBC/Love)
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Luis, 42, From Cheshire Luis describes himself as an "inventive baker" and uses honey from his own bees in his creations. (credit:BBC/Love)
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Nancy, 60, From North Lancashire She grow vegetables, rears guinea fowl and "grows her own turkeys for Christmas" in her garden. (credit:BBC/Love)
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Jordan, 32, From Nottingham IT manager Jordan calls himself a "nerdy baker".He has been baking for the last three years. (credit:BBC/Love)
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Chetna, 35, From Kent Chetna was born in India and moved to the UK with her husband in 2003.She combines her mother's traditional recipes and flavours with British baking styles. (credit:BBC/Love)
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Diana, 69, From ShropshireDiana joined the WI at the age of 12 and became a WI judge when she was 20 years old. Watch Out, Mary! (credit:BBC/Love)
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Claire, 31, From Cheshire Claire has been baking she was 11 and her mother and grandmother are both wedding cake decorators. (credit:BBC/Love)
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