The Great British Baking Show is back and just as heartwarming as ever. The cooking competition show is returning to Netflix on Sept. 27. A two-minute trailer already has fans excited for what's to come in the tent. Season 12 of the Netflix cooking competition series kicks off on Sept. 27.
It opens up with an aerial view of the baking tent, and just looking at it makes one contestant nervous.
“There’s a tent, right over there, and it’s very scary,” whispers Gill, 53. Another baker, Georgie, 34, can’t resist giggling over her disbelief, “Don’t know how I’ve got here, like, what am I doing?”
Just like all other seasons, there are 12 contestants, all of whom range in age and are not professional bakers, competing over 10 weeks. The trailer reveals that there will be 30 brand-new challenges spread out over the competition.
The personalities of the judges and hosts shine in the trailer. Hammond and Fielding get up to their usual antics while checking on the bakers. Meanwhile, Leith pays attention to the technicality of the bakes and Hollywood takes no nonsense, per usual.
“I might be a little bit more brutal,” says Hollywood.
One contestant says that he won’t take the critique well. “Paul don’t like one of my bakes, I’m gonna jack up his car, take off his wheels, make a few quid. Happy days,” jokes baker Andy, 44.
The Great British Baking Show season 12 airs on Sept. 27 with new episodes dropping every Friday on Netflix.
The New Cast of Bakers
As 12 wannabe bakers return to that infamous tent, here's everything we know about the Great British Bake Off 2024 cast.
Andy
Age: 44
From: Essex
Job: Car mechanic
Car mechanic Andy has always loved baking – he's been doing it since he was a child, and now wants to take his baking prowess to the next level.
In between seeing the world with partner Nicki in their motorhome, Andy is also hoping to inspire his daughter, Maisie, to follow in his footsteps as a baker.
“Only in my wildest dreams I imagined being in the big white tent,” he said. “It was such a dream to finally get to be a part of this wonderful show.”
Christiaan
Age: 33
From: The Netherlands
Job: Menswear designer
Born in the Netherlands, Christiaan studied fashion in Amsterdam before moving to the UK to pursue his career seven years ago.
His eye for fashion has definitely inspired his baking, with every confection having a little creative flair. And when he's not baking, he loves soaking up the atmosphere in London galleries and museums.
“As a baker, one of my strengths is to not be afraid to try out new things, taking risks which may pay off or they may not,” he said. “I also think my background in fashion can play to my strengths, when thinking about design/details/colours/etc.”
Sumayah
Age: 19
From: Lancashire
Job: Dentistry student
Ahead of studying dentistry at university next year, Sumayah decided to opt for a low-key, relaxed gap year. Just kidding – the self-taught baker has decided to spend her break in the Bake Off tent, improving her baking prowess.
Outside of baking, she is a keen sewer, and even makes her own clothes.
“Despite my disastrous audition, I had this inexplicable feeling that I would get into the tent,” she said. “Not because I was confident in myself, but more a sense of impending fear. I still can’t believe I actually got in, it’s unbelievable! I missed the phone call five times, so I was the last baker they notified.”
Dylan
Age: 20
From: Buckinghamshire
Job: Retail temp
Dylan, who recently completed a gap year travelling around Southeast Asia, loves nothing more than immersing himself in various cultures. With an Indian mother and Japanese-Belgian father, Dylan's work is inspired by Japanese bakes and the work of French pâtissérie chefs.
Recounting the moment he found out he'd be going in the Bake Off tent, Dylan said: “I was in the car with my mum, we were driving to my grandma's to celebrate her birthday. I was happy, I didn't really register it, my mum was super happy, the crew could hear her cry out.”
Georgie
Age: 34
From: Carmarthenshire
Job: Paediatric nurse
A self-proclaimed cannoli connoisseur, Georgie has her Italian roots to thank for her adoration of baking. She's also a keen forager and, along with her husband and three children, shares her Welsh farmhouse with 10 chickens, two ducks, two dogs, and a cat.
“My strengths as a baker are that I have had many different influences in the kitchen from a young age, so I have played with lots of various techniques,” Georgie said. “As a mother, I never have much time, so I always try to [have to] be able to pack as much flavour into my baking and cooking, in little time.”
Gill
Age: 53
From: Lancashire
Job: Senior category manager
Gill's love of baking is innate — in fact, she can't remember a time when she wasn't baking. In memory of her dad, Gill used her superpower for good: raising money via her baking for an Alzheimer's charity. In 1993, she was also the UK's youngest driving instructor, aged 21.
“I had been calm and fine until we got to visit our benches for the first time, I was at the back with Mike and we just had this moment where we looked at each other in disbelief and just started laughing,” she revealed. “We were hugging and laughing with tears running down our faces for quite a while!”
Hazel
Age: 71
From: Kent
Job: Former nail technician
Hazel has become the highlight of family gatherings with her innovative creations. She's made numerous car cakes with working lights and remote control wheels, and also made a carousel birthday cake with 500 edible diamonds.
When she isn't wowing her family with her baking, Hazel enjoys bingo.
Discussing how she faced the cameras, Hazel said: “The thought of it was frightening, but as you started baking, you seem to forget everything else around you, especially in my case! You do get used to them, but at the same time can be easily distracted by them.”
Illiyin
Age: 31
From: Norfolk
Job: Birth trauma specialist midwife
A qualified midwife and published author, Illiyn likes to incorporate numerous cultures into her baking, including Caribbean-inspired savoury bakes, and sweet treats using Middle Eastern ingredients like rose and mint.
She also freelances as a midwife.
Recalling her first time meeting with Alison and Noel, Illiyin said: “I was a little starstruck when I first met them having watched both of them for years. I think I was probably a little bit like a goldfish with my mouth opening and closing and no noise coming out!”
Jeff
Age: 67
From: New York
Job: Former university lecturer
Now living in West Yorkshire, Jeff was raised in the Bronx in New York. A keen basketball player and swimmer, he touched down in the UK in 1979. He learned about baking from his grandmother and Hungarian great-grandmother.
Describing the moment he found out he was in Bake Off, Jeff said: “Well, it is kind of unbelievable – as you know, there are a lot of people that apply. So you pinch yourself, you get excited about doing it, and it is very flattering to feel that they think you are good enough to be in the tent.”
Mike
Age: 29
From: Wiltshire
Job: Farm manager
A fourth-generation farmer, Mike works at his family farm with his sister and parents. He was shortlisted for Young Farmer of the Year at the 2024 National Arable and Grassland Awards, and was an ambassador for the National Farmers' Union in 2022.
In his baking, he's a big fan of incorporating freshly-grown fruit and edible flowers.
“So many of my friends have said for years that I should apply, and my fiancé Matt and I have always spoken about how incredible it would be, but it’s always been in a sort of dreamy way, like talking of the things you’d buy if you won the lottery,” he said. “You never actually believe that it will happen!”
Nelly
Age: 44
From: Slovakia
Job: Palliative care assistant
Now based in Dorset, Nelly was born in Slovakia before moving to Austria to study nursing. Her love for baking all started when she was inspired to try her neighbour's gingerbread recipe – and the rest, as they say, is history.
The self-taught baker loves incorporating flavours not just from her Slovakian culture, but also her husband's Pakistani heritage.
John
Age: 37
From: West Midlands
Job: Directorate support manager
John has had quite the career journey, having had experience as both a hairdresser and estate agent. But the NHS was where he really found his groove.
John learned everything he knows about baking from his nan, and when he isn't honing his skillset in the kitchen, he's teaching his nephews everything they need to know about baking, too. Some of his favourite bakes include fairy cakes, pies and lemon tarts.
“I will never, ever forget the first, 'On your marks, get set… BAKE,' followed by the sheer panic-fuelled excitement,” John said. That moment will stay with me forever.”
Back in the Tent
If you've got a gaping, Bake Off-shaped hole in your life, we have good news for you — The Great British Bake Off is back for a 15th season! Once again, 12 aspiring bakers will be battling it out in the Bake Off tent, judged by Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood. Presenters Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding will also be returning to keep us informed of all the sweet treats and chaos in the kitchen as it all unfolds. The new season starts on Tuesday 24th September, and the dreamy dozen hoping to be named Star Baker have already been revealed. So, who are the latest Great British Bake Off contestants? Here's what we know.
The Return of the Show
Bakers, hold on to your hats. The Great British Baking Show (or The Great British Bake Off, for U.K. readers) is back this fall, and we finally have a premiere date. Season 12 will be available to stream in the U.S. weekly on Netflix starting September 27, and will feature a total of 10 episodes. The first episode will premiere in the U.K. three days earlier, on September 24. Expect new baking challenges and dazzling recipes that are sure to delight fans.
Netflix has been the exclusive American streaming home for the show for several years, with new seasons hitting the platform annually since 2018. Netflix subscribers can look forward to new episodes arriving just a few days after they've aired on Channel 4 in the U.K.
As usual, this season was filmed at the picturesque Welford Park. Returning to guide the new class of bakers are Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, the latter of whom took over from Matt Lucas last year and is sure to bring her signature humor and warmth back to the tent. And of course, there is no Bake Off without our favorite judging duo, Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
The Great British Bake Off 2024: Meet the Contestants
The 12 contestants for the new series of The Great British Bake Off have been announced ahead of the Channel 4 show’s return on 24 September. The 15th season of the show presented by Noel Fielding, Alison Hammond, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood will see the 12 amateur bakers, from eclectic backgrounds and professions compete for this year’s baking crown.
Among the bakers are 71-year-old former nail technician and mother of four Hazel from Kent and 19-year-old Sumayah, the youngest contestant on this year’s show, who is a dentistry student from Lancashire.
Without further ado, let’s meet the bakers hoping to impress the judges this year and make it all the way to the final.
Gill
Gill is a 53-year-old senior category manager from Lancashire. An avid baker since an early age, Gill has been raising money with her baked goods, including pies, cakes and pastries for Alzheimer’s charities since 2015. In an unusual factoid, Gill became the UK’s youngest driving instructor in 1993, aged just 21.
Nelly
Nelly is a 44-year-old palliative care assistant from Dorset via Slovakia. She grew up in Slovakia with her father before moving to Austria to become a nurse. As well as baking traditional Slovakian cuisine she also likes to add a bit of spice to things to represent her husband’s Pakistani heritage.
Mike
Mike is a 29-year-old farm manager from Wiltshire who was shortlisted for Young Farmer of the Year at the 2024 National Arable and Grassland Awards and is an advocate for the LGBT+ community in the farm industry. Impressively, Mike is growing the flowers and making the cake for his forthcoming wedding to his partner Matt.
Hazel
The aforementioned Hazel is a former nail technician from Kent who at 71, is the oldest contestant on this year’s show. The mother of four and grandmother of 10, has made several car-themed cakes with working steering wheels and lights.
John
37-year-old John is a Directorate Support Manager for the NHS from the West Midlands. He previously worked as a hairdresser and an estate agent. He learnt to bake with his nan, making fairy cakes and pies, and now bakes to honour her memories and pass her skills on to his two nephews.
Georgie
Georgie is a 34-year-old paediatric nurse from Carmarthenshire, Wales. She is a forager whose food is inspired by her Italian roots and a self-proclaimed cannoli connoisseur. Georgie is also an animal lover and owns ten chickens, two ducks, two dogs and a cat.
Christiaan
Christiaan is a 34-year-old fashion designer originally from Emmen in the Netherlands but now residing in London. He studied fashion in Amsterdam before moving to the UK seven years ago and likes to incorporate his profession into his meticulously detailed bakes.
Dylan
20-year-old Dylan is a retail assistant from Buckinghamshire who has a diverse heritage with an Indian mother and Japanese-Belgian father. The skateboarder is immensely proud of his roots and likes to paint Japanese-inspired characters onto his clothes.
Andy
44-year-old Andy is a mechanic from Essex, who has baked virtually his entire life. Starting as a child alongside his mother, he learned to make staples such as apple crumbles and Bakewell tarts.
Jeff
Adding to the international flavour of this year’s show is 57-year-old Jeff, who is originally from The Bronx in New York City but has lived in West Yorkshire since 1987. Jeff is an active individual who previously played basketball and began baking after having kids, picking up the basics from his grandmother and Hungarian great-grandmother.
Sumayah
The youngest baker on GBBO 2024 is 19-year-old Sumayah, a dentistry student from Lancashire. The teenager is an entirely self-taught baker who even makes her own clothes. She previously made a macaron tower for her aunt’s wedding which stood at 1 metre tall and included 240 macarons.
Illiyin
31-year-old Illiyin is a Birth trauma specialist midwife from Norfolk, who is also a published author. Illiyin enjoys using Middle Eastern ingredients in her sweet treats, such as dried fruit and nuts. Meanwhile, her savoury bakes are often inspired by the Caribbean.
What to Expect from the New Season
As the premiere approaches, fans can look forward to the camaraderie, creativity, and competition that have made The Great British Baking Show such an institution. So mark your calendars for September 27—and on your mark, get set, bake!
