EIGHT years have passed since this former primary school head teacher from Somerset starred in the smash-hit Great British Bake Off on BBC 1.

Val Stones, 73, from Somerton, announced that she would pick up her whisk and oven gloves to star in series seven of the show, which aired on August 24, 2016.

The show was won by Candice Brown as 15 million people tuned in every week, while Nadiya Hussain took home the crown the previous year.

During her time on the show Val's culinary expertise was stringently examined by expert chefs and hosts, Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry, as she went up against 11 other amateur bakers.

Her description from the BBC read: “Val has been at the helm of the kitchen now for more than 60 years.

“She says her style is traditional and she can make the classics with her eyes closed, but she also enjoys searching the internet, finding new recipes.

“Now semi-retired, she still works two days a week as a substitute teacher.

“She loves incorporating baking into her teaching so that the children can grow up with as much passion for it as she did.

“In her spare time Val loves to exercise and can often be found doing aerobics in her kitchen whilst she waits for her jam to boil or her bread to prove.”

Val, originally from Conisbrough, competed against Andrew, 25, from Derby, Benjamina, 23, from South London, Candice, 31, from North London, Jane, 61, from Beckenham, Kate, 37, from Norfolk, Lee, 67, Bolton, Louise, 46, from Cardiff, Michael, aged 20, from London, Rav, 28, from Kent, Selasi, aged 30, from London, and Tom, 26, from Rochdale.

The Great British Bake Off was presented by duo Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc in 2016.

In the years since the show, Val has released her first cookbook, The Cake Whisperer, containing 52 tried and tested recipes. It can be found at valstones.com.