Bake Off star Hamish's drag secret I'M THE QUEEN OF CAKES!

The repeat reality contestant reveals his glamorous alter ego

-  Leena Tailor

Whipping up baked delights and dressing in drag may not seem like passions that go hand in hand, but for The Great Kiwi Bake Off contestant Hamish Russell, both are creative endeavours that have helped build up his confidence.

"I almost had a panic attack the first time I did drag, mostly because of the heels!" Hamish, 32, tells Woman's Day. “But lip-syncing is just like Bake Off. You're so nervous, then as soon as they say 'go' for the challenge, you just have to give in to whatever happens."

Yet while drag may have assisted with his self-esteem, Hamish adds, “It hasn't helped with my cakes. When it comes to baking, I go for rough-and-ready rather than a pristine finish. I save all that detailed work for drag, then when it comes to baking, I'm like, 'Does it taste good? If so, great."

While drag is something Hamish discovered in his twenties, his love for baking started earlier. He was only five when he first iced a cake.

His grandmother Elsie was an "incredible” baker who posted care packages with ginger fudge and shortbread, while his step mum Gill had scone recipes memorised and his mum Liz's fabulous baked goods inspired Hamish to outdo her.