Naman Shrestha
In Netflix’s ‘The Great British Baking Show’ Collection 13 or series 16, we get acquainted with a group of 12 highly talented and passionate bakers coming from different walks of life. One of the strong contenders for the title was Lesley Holloway, a 59-year-old hairdresser from Kent, England. She began her journey in the competition quite strongly, becoming a favorite amongst the judges. Her competing nature as well as her baking talents were on full display throughout the baking competition show.
Lesley Holloway Finds a Balance Between Hairdressing and Baking
Born in September 1965, Lesley Anne Holloway is a full-time hairdresser who runs her own hair salon company in Kent, England. The Eynsford, England, native has been a hairdresser for nearly five decades and has worked at multiple salons, including SLK Hair and Beauty and Ugly Betty’s School of Hair and Beauty. Apart from a haircut, her clients can also expect to get a slice of cake, as baking is her passion. She was only ten when her romance with baking began, thanks to her aunt, Joan, and nanny, Mable. When she was finally selected to be one of the 12 bakers in ‘The Great British Baking Show,’ she got emotional because her late father pushed her to apply for it and would be very proud of her.
As a baker, Lesley’s strengths incline towards conventional home baking and cooking. For instance, she has the ability to not only create delicious pastries, pies, and cakes, but also make them look equally tempting and beautiful. She is also brave enough to try out new ideas and recipes to create unique versions of desserts. As for her weakness, she said that it “is not believing in myself enough to trust my gut instinct.” While running her hairdressing salon, Lesley also finds enough time for her passion as he continues to bake whenever she can.
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Lesley Holloway is Surrounded by the Love and Support of Her Loved Ones
Lesley Holloway leads a fulfilling life with her longtime partner, Mark, and her two furry babies — Marley and Norman. Besides being a devoted wife, she is also a doting mother to her son, Sam, and a grandmother to Mabel. She expects Mabel “to be able to do a curly blow-dry and bake a batch of cookies by the time she is five.” In her free time, the nature-loving woman loves birdwatching and gardening. She also enjoys eating fish and chips after a seaside walk.
She regularly joins her two rescue pups in adventures through the farmer’s field. In late August 2025, she went on a long walk with them through the countryside of Kent, during which they “stumbled across hedgerows bursting with late-summer berries and fruit.” Looking back at her time competing in ‘The Great British Baking Show’ series 16, she expressed her gratitude for all the friends she made along the way. She stated, “I’ll carry these friendships with me forever, long after the flour has settled and the ovens have cooled. Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it. I don’t get pictures with everyone but I truly have found friends for life ! Love you all !”
For her niece’s 30th birthday, Lesley took the responsibility for preparing a beautiful cake for her, with lemon drizzle on top and Victoria sponge as the second layer. On the night of the premiere of ‘The Great British Baking Show’ Collection 13, her brother, sister-in-law, and sister put together a viewing party, inviting her loved ones and making it an unforgettable night for her. In early September 2025, she celebrated her 60th birthday with the people she cherishes the most.
