BAKE Off fans will be delighted to see former contestants return to our TV screens this Christmas for two special festive episodes.

And Bradford’s own Sandy Docherty, who appeared in the sixth series of the popular show, will be one of four bakers returning to the tent for the show on New Year’s Day.

Sandy will be going up against series seven contestants Benjamina Ebuehi and Rav Bansal and Rob Billington from the second series.

Sandy, who works as a welfare officer at Titus Salt School in Baildon, said: “I didn’t think twice about saying yes. It was lovely to be invited to take part.”

She said she it was July when she was asked to be in the Christmas special and she had just three weeks to plan the festive treats she would bake for the show.

“It’s always challenging to plan what you are going to make,” said Sandy.

“Your imagination does one thing and the practicalities do another. The two don’t always meet together.

“It wasn’t long to get my act together and you’re trying to think about what you would make for Christmas in July.

“I still think I overstretched my showstopper. I just went a bridge too far. You are going in as an experienced baker now so I was thinking I should be doing something ambitious. People are expecting more from you.”

But Sandy, who appeared on the series when it was still on the BBC with presenters Mel and Sue and judge Mary Berry, said she really enjoyed being back in the tent.

She added: “You go into it thinking Mel and Sue can’t be replaced. People have asked me to compare them to Noel and Sandi but I wouldn’t begin to.

“They are both fantastic in their own rights. I miss Mel and Sue but Noel and Sandi brought another dimension and it was just as special to have them presenting.

“Prue was great and Paul seemed a lot more relaxed, we had some good banter.

“He said all sorts to me knowing I can take it because we share a bit of northern humour.”

But Sandy joked about her ideal job on screen: “All I want is a cooking sketch on Countryfile.

“It was lovely to meet up with the Great British Bake Off crew again and to be greeted by Rav, Benjamina and Rob. They said they were so pleased I was taking part.

“It’s just a lovely bunch of people.

“I bake all year round but especially at Christmas. I’ll be spending it with my family - we are all bakers and cooks. And I still run the cooking club at school with some underachieving boys in partnership with Help for Heroes.”

The Great Christmas Bake Off will air on December 25 at 7.40pm and on January 1 at 7.40pm on Channel 4.