Great British Bake Off has yet to hit screens – but fans have already taken aim at the BBC baking show.

The popular programme has been accused of “gender stereotyping” after the male contestants were pictured stirring blue icing while their female equivalents were handling pink icing.

Some people claim to have been left “horrified” by the move and others have branded the pictures “embarrassingly dated”.

Others voiced their disappointment by using the “Everyday Sexism” hashtag.

Others defended the show and argued that people should focus on more pressing issues.

Bake Off will return to screens later this month and the BBC has unveiled the new batch of baking enthusiasts who will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of 2015 champion Nadiya Hussain.

Everyone from students and builders, to nurses and aerospace engineers will be attempting to impress judges Paul Hollywood and baking royalty, Mary Berry.

Other contestants include a builder-turned-pastor, a Ghanaian migrant, a hairdresser and a former primary school teacher.

Hollywood said the new hobbyists felt the pressure after Hussain's huge success last year.

"Nadiya went to a whole new level... it put pressure on them more," he said.

"I think we felt it in the tents as well. They started quite nervously, but once they settled down they got into it."

Great British Bake Off 2016 - contestants in pictures 13 show all Great British Bake Off 2016 - contestants in pictures 1/13 Full tent The bakers taking part in the Great British Bake Off 2016 have been revealed BBC/Love Productions 2/13 Rav Age: 28

From: Kent

Bio: After studying Criminology at university, Rav went on to support students at City University, London. He’s experimental with his baking and is inspired by vegan baking and eastern cuisine

Speciality: Flavour combinations BBC/Love Productions 3/13 Andrew Age: 25

From: Derby

Bio: Northern Irish-born aerospace engineer Andrew was taught to bake by his mum and gran. He’s a straight-A student who went to Cambridge University

Speciality: Structurally ambitious bakes BBC/Love Productions 4/13 Louise Age: 46

From: Cardiff

Bio: Hairdresser Louise progressed her skills by making cakes for charity sales at work. She adventurous in her designs and in her hobbies – having completed a trek around the Andes and various other mountains

Speciality: Elaborate cakes BBC/Love Productions 5/13 Lee Age: 67

From: Bolton

Bio: Builder-turned-theologist-turned-Pastor Lee used baking as a way to fill his days in the Eighties when an injury stopped him from playing cricket.

Speciality: Traditional flavours, including cherry, hazelnut, vanilla and chocolate BBC/Love Productions 6/13 Kate Age: 37

From: Norfolk

Bio: Qualified nurse Kate is a Brownie leader and uses seasonal fruits which she gathers with her kids in her baking

Speciality: Sugar craft BBC/Love Productions 7/13 Val Age: 66

From: Yeovil

Bio: Semi-retired substitute teacher Val incorporates her baking into her teaching. She does aerobics in her kitchen – but she might not do so in the Bake Off tent

Speciality: Traditional classics BBC/Love Productions 8/13 Benjamina Age: 23

From: South London

Bio: Teaching assistant Benjamina takes inspiration from the likes of Instagram and Pinterest for modern takes on classic bakes. She takes feedback from her family to improve her creations

Speciality: Fresh and modern versions of traditional cakes BBC/Love Productions 9/13 Michael Age: 20

From: London

Bio: Currently studying Politics and Economics in Durham, Michael has Cypriot heritage grew up making Greek pastries with his nan

Speciality: Big grand cakes BBC/Love Productions 10/13 Selasi Age: 30

From: London

Bio: Ghanaian-born Selasi works in finance, and his hobbies include motorbikes, basketball, and travelling. He recently ran a 10k, half marathon, and trekked through Malawi for charity

Speciality: Delicate cupcakes BBC/Love Productions 11/13 Jane Age: 61

From: Beckenham

Bio: Garden designer Jane wakes up at 5am to bake her bread. Her grandfather owned a bakery, and she s passionate about the classics

Speciality: Classic cakes, biscuits and pastry BBC/Love Productions 12/13 Tom Age: 26

From: London

Bio: Rochdale-born Tom works for the Royal Society of Arts and is creative with his flavours and ingredients. He lost 30 kilos, and has a “have your cake and eat it” mentality

Speciality: Surprising twists BBC/Love Productions 13/13 Candice Age: 31

From: Bedfordshire

Bio: Secondary school PE teacher Candice was taught to bake by her nan, and loves everything vintage. She lives with her boyfriend Liam and pug Dennis

Speciality: Baking the classics like her nan BBC/Love Productions 1/13 Full tent The bakers taking part in the Great British Bake Off 2016 have been revealed BBC/Love Productions 2/13 Rav Age: 28

From: Kent

Bio: After studying Criminology at university, Rav went on to support students at City University, London. He’s experimental with his baking and is inspired by vegan baking and eastern cuisine

Speciality: Flavour combinations BBC/Love Productions 3/13 Andrew Age: 25

From: Derby

Bio: Northern Irish-born aerospace engineer Andrew was taught to bake by his mum and gran. He’s a straight-A student who went to Cambridge University

Speciality: Structurally ambitious bakes BBC/Love Productions 4/13 Louise Age: 46

From: Cardiff

Bio: Hairdresser Louise progressed her skills by making cakes for charity sales at work. She adventurous in her designs and in her hobbies – having completed a trek around the Andes and various other mountains

Speciality: Elaborate cakes BBC/Love Productions 5/13 Lee Age: 67

From: Bolton

Bio: Builder-turned-theologist-turned-Pastor Lee used baking as a way to fill his days in the Eighties when an injury stopped him from playing cricket.

Speciality: Traditional flavours, including cherry, hazelnut, vanilla and chocolate BBC/Love Productions 6/13 Kate Age: 37

From: Norfolk

Bio: Qualified nurse Kate is a Brownie leader and uses seasonal fruits which she gathers with her kids in her baking

Speciality: Sugar craft BBC/Love Productions 7/13 Val Age: 66

From: Yeovil

Bio: Semi-retired substitute teacher Val incorporates her baking into her teaching. She does aerobics in her kitchen – but she might not do so in the Bake Off tent

Speciality: Traditional classics BBC/Love Productions 8/13 Benjamina Age: 23

From: South London

Bio: Teaching assistant Benjamina takes inspiration from the likes of Instagram and Pinterest for modern takes on classic bakes. She takes feedback from her family to improve her creations

Speciality: Fresh and modern versions of traditional cakes BBC/Love Productions 9/13 Michael Age: 20

From: London

Bio: Currently studying Politics and Economics in Durham, Michael has Cypriot heritage grew up making Greek pastries with his nan

Speciality: Big grand cakes BBC/Love Productions 10/13 Selasi Age: 30

From: London

Bio: Ghanaian-born Selasi works in finance, and his hobbies include motorbikes, basketball, and travelling. He recently ran a 10k, half marathon, and trekked through Malawi for charity

Speciality: Delicate cupcakes BBC/Love Productions 11/13 Jane Age: 61

From: Beckenham

Bio: Garden designer Jane wakes up at 5am to bake her bread. Her grandfather owned a bakery, and she s passionate about the classics

Speciality: Classic cakes, biscuits and pastry BBC/Love Productions 12/13 Tom Age: 26

From: London

Bio: Rochdale-born Tom works for the Royal Society of Arts and is creative with his flavours and ingredients. He lost 30 kilos, and has a “have your cake and eat it” mentality

Speciality: Surprising twists BBC/Love Productions 13/13 Candice Age: 31

From: Bedfordshire

Bio: Secondary school PE teacher Candice was taught to bake by her nan, and loves everything vintage. She lives with her boyfriend Liam and pug Dennis

Speciality: Baking the classics like her nan BBC/Love Productions

Berry added: "They know the standard that it is, which is now pretty high. And I think they were slower to bond this year than they were in the past."

Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins will return to host the show.

Great British Bake Off returns to BBC One at 8pm on August 24.

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