Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite to open own cake shop in north west

Great British Bake Off winner and Strictly star John Whaite has been having big success with his mail order brownies - now he's preparing to open a full cake shop

Former Great British Bake Off Winner John Whaite has confirmed he is to open his own cake shop and cafe on his home turf in the north west.

The TV favourite last year launched his own mail-order brownie range, called Ruff Puff Brownies, which has become a big success with sell-out deliveries twice a week.

Now, he's taking the next step with his business by securing a bricks and mortar location for a full cake shop concept.

The Lancashire-based star, crowned the best baker in the nation on the Bake Off series in 2012, has been searching for the perfect location for his cake shop for weeks, and has now confirmed that a site has been found.

Last weekend, cake fans got to sample a host of the mouth-watering sweet treats that John and his team of bakers have been testing ready for the shop concept, at a pop-up at the Too Good Farm Shop in Wrightington, near Wigan.

Bakes for sale on the day included the likes of basque cheesecakes, choux buns carrot cake slices, lemon meringue pies, pumpkin bundts, macaroons and pistachio and raspberry cookies.

Naturally, there were also piles of his signature brownies and blondies selling like hot cakes too.

Former Strictly Come Dancing finalist John told the M.E.N. at the pop-up event that he was looking for locations "in the local area" for the new cake shop concept.

John was born and raised in Wrightington, and his brownie production kitchen remains in the area.

And on Sunday, John and his RuffPuff Brownies accounts confirmed to fans that a location had now officially been found for the shop site.

On an Instagram post from RuffPuff Brownies, it said: "Have we found a location for our first store? YES WE BLOOMIN' HAVE" it added: "Staff will be needed so keep your eyes peeled for more info."

Later, John added his own posts about the news on his Instagram stories. He said: "Celebrating with a perfect piece of brownie.

"We've found a location for our first @ruffpuffbrownies store. Opening sometime this year..."

He went on to add a further post holding a large bakewell tart, saying: "Oh, and it won't just be brownies on the menu... You get me?"

John is not yet confirming the exact location of the new store, but told the MEN: "What I can say is that it'll be all the things we can't offer in the post - tarts, choux buns and hopefully some laminated doughs as well."

Cake fans, it's time to get excited....