<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> ← Previous Series 1 Next → Series 3 </Td> </Tr> <P> The second series of The Great British Bake Off started 14 August 2011 with twelve amateur bakers . Unlike series one, the competition was held in a single location--in the ground of Valentines Mansion, a 17th - century mansion house in Redbridge . In addition to their on - screen presenting roles, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins also took over the narration of the show, which had been done by Stephen Noonan the previous series . Series two also introduced the "star baker" award for the most impressive performer each week . </P> <P> Three and a half thousand people applied for the competition, and 12 were selected . Each episode was filmed over two 14 - hour days . The competition was won by Joanne Wheatley . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Baker </Th> <Th> Age </Th> <Th> Occupation </Th> <Th> Hometown </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ben Frazer </Td> <Td> 31 </Td> <Td> Graphic Designer </Td> <Td> Northampton </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Holly Bell </Td> <Td> 31 </Td> <Td> Advertising executive </Td> <Td> Leicester </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ian Vallance </Td> <Td> 40 </Td> <Td> Fundraiser for English Heritage </Td> <Td> Dunstable, Bedfordshire </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Janet Basu </Td> <Td> 63 </Td> <Td> Teacher of Modern Languages </Td> <Td> Formby, Liverpool </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Jason White </Td> <Td> 19 </Td> <Td> Civil Engineering Student </Td> <Td> Croydon </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Joanne Wheatley </Td> <Td> 41 </Td> <Td> Housewife </Td> <Td> Ongar, Essex </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Keith Batsford </Td> <Td> 31 </Td> <Td> House husband </Td> <Td> Arlesey, Bedfordshire </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mary - Anne Boermans </Td> <Td> 45 </Td> <Td> Housewife </Td> <Td> Kidderminster, Worcestershire </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Robert Billington </Td> <Td> 25 </Td> <Td> Photographer </Td> <Td> London </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Simon Blackwell </Td> <Td> 31 </Td> <Td> Rugby Coach </Td> <Td> Norfolk </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Urvashi Roe </Td> <Td> 40 </Td> <Td> Head of Marketing </Td> <Td> Enfield, London </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Yasmin Limbert </Td> <Td> 43 </Td> <Td> Childminder </Td> <Td> West Kirby, The Wirral </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Who won the second series of the great british bake off