Coleraine's Lyla set to represent Northern Ireland in Ch4's Junior Bake Off

12-year-old Lyla is ‘musicals mad’ and hopes to bring her ‘Wicked’ baking skills to the famous Junior Bake Off (JBO) tent!

Lyla lives with her mum and dad Jenny and Jonny and two younger brothers, next-door to her grandparents’ farm. The family keep chickens and Lyla has her own pet cat named Gabriel.

With six Blue Peter badges to her name, Lyla has a host of interests, including Irish dancing and playing the clarinet. She’d like to be a historian when she’s older.

Lyla learned how to bake with her mum and granny, using recipes from her great-grandmother’s recipe book. Cupcakes are her speciality, but whatever she bakes, her younger brothers devour within minutes!

The young baker said: “I wanted to apply for JBO because I have always loved baking and being creative in the kitchen. I find baking therapeutic and relaxing, and I wanted to share my passion for baking with others.

"I’m a mega fan of Junior Bake Off and I have been watching the series since I was 8.

"I’ve been baking ever since I could hold a wooden spoon, probably aged about 2 or 3! My first bake was making chocolate lollies with my mum and I have been licking bowls and having fun in the kitchen ever since.

"I love baking cakes: big, small, crumb coated, ‘naked’, celebration and heavily decorated cakes... I just love all things cake (especially decorating them with googly eyes and coloured sprinkles!)

"I also love doing Viennese Whirls with twists like adding flavours and colouring them my favourite colours.”

Stepping into the famous Bake Off tent could be daunting for many adult bakers but Lyla took it all in her stride.

"It was so amazing I was completely lost for words. It was so special!

"There were wonderfully decorated cakes, colourful china and obviously the amazing big bright JBO sign. It really was a dream come true moment.

"My favourite challenge on the very first day was the Nightmare Cake showstopper as it was so fun to do! The first Showstopper was my first chance to show the judges what I’m capable of and what I can do.

"I made an amazing cake that I’m super proud of and I got to express my love for sugar goggly eyes and colour.

"During my JBO experience I’ve learned to never give up especially during the hard tasks and... TO GET BACK UP AGAIN!

"‘Get back up again’ was my motto during the whole amazing Junior Bake Off experience. I was diagnosed with arthritis last year and JBO has helped me to get back up again.

"JBO has really helped me improve my skills as a baker. I have baked things I never thought I’d bake, and I’ve met such amazing people and have made friends for life.

"I can’t wait to watch it on TV, I’m so excited! I can’t wait to watch it with my close family and some friends! I’m counting down the days and I can’t wait for you all to see it too.”

Catch Lyla on Channel 4 at 5pm on Monday, January 12.