John Whaite facts for kids

John Robert Whaite (born 23 May 1989) is an English baker, chef, and TV personality. He became famous after winning the third series of The Great British Bake Off in 2012. He has since become a well-known face on television and has written several cookbooks.

Early Life and Education

John Whaite was born in Chorley, Lancashire, England. He grew up on a farm in Wrightington. He has two sisters, Jane and Victoria. John became interested in baking when he was seven years old.

As a teenager, he changed his surname from Cunningham to his mother's maiden name, Whaite. He did this while he was in college.

John was accepted into Oxford University to study languages. However, he decided to study Law at the University of Manchester instead. This allowed him to be closer to home. In 2012, he earned a top degree in law. He even took his law exams while filming Bake Off. After winning the baking show, John decided to follow his passion for cooking. He took classes at Le Cordon Bleu in London to become a professional chef.

Career Highlights

Television Appearances

In 2012, John Whaite joined the third series of The Great British Bake Off on BBC Two. During the show, he had a finger injury but still managed to continue. He made it to the final and won the competition. His winning bakes included an Italian sausage and roasted vegetable pithivier, fondant fancies, and a heaven and hell chiffon cake.

John has appeared on many TV shows as a chef. He was a regular chef on the ITV breakfast show Lorraine. He has also been a guest chef on This Morning and Sunday Brunch.

In 2016, John started co-hosting Chopping Block. This was an ITV cooking competition show with Rosemary Shrager. Four couples competed in daily challenges to win a prize. He also makes regular appearances on Channel 4's Steph's Packed Lunch.

In 2021, John Whaite was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. He was paired with professional dancer Johannes Radebe. They made history as the first male same-sex dance couple on the show. They reached the final but finished as runners-up.

Cookery and Writing

After his success on Bake Off, John continued his culinary education. He studied for a Diplôme de Pâtisserie at Le Cordon Bleu, London.

In 2015, John opened his own cookery school. It was called John Whaite's Kitchen. The school was located in a converted 400-year-old building on his family's farm in Wrightington.

John Whaite is also a successful author. He has released several cookery books. His first book, John Whaite Bakes, came out in 2013. Other popular books include Perfect Plates in 5 Ingredients and Comfort: Food to soothe the soul. In 2019, he wrote A Flash in the Pan, which has recipes for cooking using just one pan. He also wrote food columns for The Daily Telegraph and Heat magazine.

Theatre Work

John Whaite also performed in Strictly Come Dancing – the Live Tour 2022. In 2022, he was set to join the cast of the Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical Cinderella. He was going to play Prince Charming. However, the show closed before he could make his debut. John said joining the cast would have been a "dream come true."

Personal Life

John Whaite lives in Leeds with his partner, Paul Atkins. Paul is a graphic designer. John announced their engagement in 2017.