Gabe Capes is an artist and drag king from the West Midlands who competed on series 17 of The Great British Bake Off in 2026. Aged 32 during filming, Gabe is known as “the daddy of Birmingham drag” and performs as Blü Romantic, and they were still in the competition after Pastry Week.
| Full Name | Gabe Capes |
| Known For | The Great British Bake Off series 17 |
| Age | 32 (as of 2026) |
| Hometown | West Midlands, England |
| Occupation | Artist and drag king |
| Partner | Ellis and Tyler (partners) |
| The Great British Bake Off Series 17 | Still competing after Episode 6 (Pastry Week) |
Who Is Gabe Capes?
Gabe Capes is a 32-year-old artist and drag king from the West Midlands who took part in the seventeenth series of The Great British Bake Off, which began on Channel 4 on 22 September 2026. A theatre producer and costume designer, Gabe is known as “the daddy of Birmingham drag” and performs under the drag persona Blü Romantic, and they were one of twelve bakers announced for series 17 on 7 September 2026.
Gabe reached the second half of the series in good form, with two technical challenges won outright, and was still competing after six episodes alongside the other surviving bakers, judged by Paul Hollywood and Nigella Lawson and presented by Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.
Early Life & Background
Gabe Capes was raised in Grimsby and now lives in the West Midlands, where they work as an artist, theatre producer and costume designer. Gabe discovered baking watching series 1 of The Great British Bake Off aged 13, and has combined that passion with a career in performance ever since.
In the drag world, Gabe performs as Blü Romantic and has been described as “the daddy of Birmingham drag”, a nickname that speaks to their standing in the local scene. Gabe lives with their partners Ellis and Tyler.
The Great British Bake Off 2026 Journey
Gabe’s Bake Off journey began in Cake Week with a “Pint & Peanuts with Dad” chocolate stout cake, a third-place coffee and walnut cake technical and a “Blu Romantic” portrait cake to stay safe. In Biscuit Week, almond and sour cherry cookies, a sixth-place iced gems technical and an “Uncle Tom’s Garden” biscuit mosaic kept Gabe in the competition.
Audience Choice Week brought a “You’re Coconuts” cheesecake, a first-place mystery box technical and a “Crown It” wearable bake, while Bread Week delivered a Monday night pizza garlic bread, another first-place technical and a “Summer Solstice Party” display. In Dessert Week, Gabe’s “Boozy snoozy” self-saucing puddings, fourth-place bread and butter pudding technical and “Puddings on Toast” dessert trolley kept them safe, and Pastry Week’s “Bostin Brummie Balti” handheld pies, third-place karpatka technical and “Lincolnshire Sausage Dog” decorative pie left them still competing after six episodes.
Facts About Gabe Capes
- Gabe Capes was 32 years old when they competed on The Great British Bake Off series 17 in 2026.
- Gabe is an artist, theatre producer and costume designer from the West Midlands.
- Gabe performs in drag as Blü Romantic and is known as “the daddy of Birmingham drag”.
- Gabe discovered baking while watching series 1 of The Great British Bake Off aged 13.
- Gabe won two technical challenges outright in series 17, in Audience Choice Week and Bread Week, and was still competing after Episode 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Gabe Capes?
Gabe Capes was 32 years old during The Great British Bake Off series 17 in 2026.
What is Gabe Capes’s drag name?
Gabe Capes performs in drag as Blü Romantic.
Where is Gabe Capes from?
Gabe Capes is from the West Midlands, England, and was raised in Grimsby.
Who are Gabe Capes’s partners?
Gabe Capes lives with their partners Ellis and Tyler.
Was Gabe Capes a Star Baker?
Gabe Capes had not been named Star Baker in the first six episodes of series 17, but had won two technical challenges.
See the full Great British Bake Off 2026 Cast hub.