The ultimate in comfort TV returns tonight as 12 bakers take to the tent in the Great British Bake Off, but what has made it such a favourite amongst TV viewers? An annual TV highlight for many, Bake Off fans will be pleased to know they won't have to wait much longer until the popular show returns. The series - which is now on its 15th season - sees contestants compete to be crowned the UK's best amateur baker.
The Great British Bake Off has seen many of its winners go on to have a career in baking, including Nadiya Hussain who won the sixth series or Bristol's own Giuseppe Dell'Anno who won the 2022 series. And, with the show being a comfort TV staple, fans will be pleased to hear it is coming back to our screens tonight (Tuesday, September 24).
Where to Watch the Great British Bake Off
The show will start at 8pm on Channel 4. It will also be available to stream for FREE on Channel 4. If you are a Brit abroad and want to watch the show, a VPN such as NordVPN will allow you to watch it on Channel 4 regardless of where you are in the world. For those in the US, you can watch the show on Netflix, dubbed as "The Great British Baking Show." Previous seasons are also available on both Channel 4 and Netflix.
Who are the Contestants?
This season's bakers are:
- Andy, 44, Car Mechanic (Essex)
- Christiaan, 33, Menswear Designer (London)
- Dylan, 20, Retail temp (Buckinghamshire)
- Georgi, 34, Paediatric Nurse (Carmarthenshire)
- Gill, 53, Senior Category Manager (Lancashire)
- Hazel, 71, Former Nail Technician (Kent)
- Illiyin, 31, Birth Trauma Specialist Midwife (Norfolk)
- Jeff, 67, Former University Lecturer (West Yorkshire)
- John, 37, Directorate Support Manager (West Midlands)
- Mike, 29, Farm Manager (Wiltshire)
- Nelly, 44, Palliative Care Assistant (Dorset)
- Sumayah, 19, Dentistry Student (Lancashire)
What to Expect This Season
This season will see a number of firsts, including a "Hollywood handshake" in the opening recipe and a baker leaving the tent after just a day. The show then throws another curveball as bakers are also given cake to consume before the first-ever 'taste and bake' challenge. Bakers are given the chance to measure and taste the cake before attempting to recreate it themselves. Despite juggling their personal lives during the week, the bakers dedicate their entire weekends to the competition.
Behind the Scenes of The Great British Bake Off
Past participants have shared tales of gruelling filming schedules, with episodes taking anywhere from 10 to 16 hours to shoot. Antony Amourdoux from season nine spilled the beans to Insider: "You start early in the morning and it ends a little after six or seven in the evening. Normally they shoot on the weekends because some contestants work like I was working." He added: "So Saturday will be the whole day and Sunday will be early in the morning to around midday." The result is an entire weekend's worth of footage packed into a single episode, which explains why contestants don't change outfits throughout the weekend. A significant amount of content never makes it to the screen, with up to 16 hours of footage being edited down to just one hour of television.
The Great British Bake Off: A Cultural Phenomenon
Launching in 2010, the show has become a cultural phenomenon. It made a star out of bread man Paul Hollywood, launched the TV careers of winners including Nadiya Hussain, and rekindled the nation’s love affair with butter, cream and sugar – and much more besides. Sales of baking ingredients and accessories have soared since it became an annual fixture on our screens and that shows no sign of cooling off.
What’s Next for the Great British Bake Off?
With such a loyal following, The Great British Bake Off is sure to be a hit for many years to come. As the show continues to evolve, it is sure to continue to be a staple of British television.
Don't Forget to Check Out The Show Tonight
The Great British Bake Off is back and ready to entertain. Be sure to tune in tonight at 8pm on Channel 4 and see what this new batch of bakers can do.
