The Great British Bake Off is one of the most popular shows on British television, which is quite a feat considering that Bake Off is famously twee and prefers technical bakes and soggy bottoms to wine tosses and screams of “Rickayyyyy” (yes Eastenders, we’re looking at you).
The Great British Bake Off debuted on the BBC in the summer of 2010 and went on to achieve huge success, resulting in renewed fame for the original line-up of judges and presenters, namely Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc.
Then, in the 2014 series, there was drama. An event which lives long in the memory of confectioners and sweet treat aficionados, one contestant made the decision to remove her fellow baker Iain’s Baked Alaska from the freezer prematurely, causing it to melt and resulting in Iain throwing his creation in the bin. The moment secured GBBO’s place in British television history, sparking a huge national debate which saw the scandal grace the front page of several national newspapers and someone change Diana’s Wikipedia page to label her an ‘ice cream melting supervillain’ (bit harsh).
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In 2017, the BBC made the shocking announcement that Great British Bake Off would be leaving the channel and finding a new home on Channel 4. The move also saw judge Mary Berry, plus hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc quit the show. Judge Paul Hollywood stayed and was soon joined by Dame Prue Leith, though things are shaking up for 2026. Nigella Lawson is taking over from Prue in the upcoming series, after Leith announced she’d be stepping back from the show after nine years as a judge. But one thing’s for sure: we can expect plenty of the same Bake Off magic for this new series.
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The Great British Bake Off is returning for its 17th series, and we’ve got all the details on everything you could need to know. Read below to get all the answers you’ve been looking for - happy baking!
Everything you need to know about Great British Bake Off 2026
Need a refresher? Here's everything you need to know about Great British Bake Off 2026, including when it airs, what the format is, and who judges the competition.
When is the release date for Great British Bake Off 2026?
The official start date for series 17 of The Great British Bake Off is yet to be confirmed, but we can expect it to begin in late September, with episodes airing each Tuesday.
What are the three challenges in The Great British Bake Off?
Each episode of The Great British Bake Off follows the same format, with bakers asked to complete three challenges in every episode. At the end of the day, one contestant is crowned that week’s Star Baker and one contestant is sent home. Although the format remains the same throughout the series, each episode is focused around a different theme, such as ‘bread week’ or ‘biscuit week’.
The Signature Bake
Every week, the first task the bakers undertake is the Signature Bake. For this challenge, the contestants have to create a classic baked treat, giving it a rustic and home-made feel. In the last series, signature bakes included mini rolls, brandy snaps and focaccia.
The Technical
The second challenge the bakers face is the Technical. Here, bakers are tasked with recreating a classic bake using a limited recipe. Each baker is given the same recipe sheet and instructions, but key elements have been intentionally left out and its up to the bakers to fill in the gaps.
The Showstopper
The final challenge the bakers face each week is the Showstopper. This is the chance for contestants to really show off their skills, by creating something that is dramatic and elaborate. Of course, in order to win the coveted Star Baker accolade, the bakes need to taste just as good as they look.
How does The Great British Bake Off final work?
The final round of The Great British Bake Off sees three remaining contestants battle it out to take the Bake Off crown. The format of the final isn’t dissimilar to the rest of the series, with the three remaining bakers still undergoing a signature, technical and showstopper challenge.
The specific tasks for the 2026 final have yet to be revealed, but you can expect a series of challenges that will push the bakers to their limits.
Where can I watch The Great British Bake Off 2026?
GBBO originally aired on the BBC, but was controversially sold to a new channel in 2016. The 2026 series will be the ninth one to air on Bake Off’s new home, Channel 4.
Who are the Great British Bake Off judges?
Leaving the BBC and moving to Channel 4 meant a bit of reshuffling for the Bake Off judges. The panel controversially lost fan favourite Mary Berry while retaining original judge Paul Hollywood who was joined by TV chef and restaurateur Prue Leith.
Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith judged the show together for almost a decade, but 2026 is shaking things up with a new addition to the judging team. Nigella Lawson will be taking over from Prue Leith for the upcoming series.
Who are the Great British Bake Off hosts?
The Great British Bake Off 2026 will retain its hosts for the 17th series. Noel Fielding will be returning for his eighth year on the show, whilst This Morning star Alison Hammond will return for her fourth series after replacing Matt Lucas back in 2023.
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Who are the Great British Bake Off contestants 2026?
This year's lucky 12 are yet to be announced, but we'll be sure to keep you updated as soon as we know who'll be competing for the title of Great British Bake Off champion 2026.
Who won the Great British Bake Off 2025?
After 10 weeks of baking for their place in the final, the three contestants who made it to the last episode of series 16 were Aaron, Jasmine and Tom. Of course, only one could take home the crown:
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This year, it was Jasmine who took home the GBBO trophy, with Paul commenting that she is the most talented baker they've had on the show for quite a while now. Even more remarkable is the fact that while competing in GBBO, Jasmine was also studying for her medical exams and during the last few weeks, she had the added pressure of sitting those exams. She passed all of them. Hat's off to her!
Tom lamented that his excellent performance this week had given him hope, but, like most of us, he felt the winner was a done deal. As he told Jasmine (very sweetly) after the winner was revealed: ‘It was always you.’
How do you get on Great British Bake Off?
If you find yourself lusting after the glory of the Great British Bake Off apron, maybe you should give it a go yourself. Be aware that the application process is a long one - if you fulfil all the entry criteria (over 16, not a professional baker, free during all of the filming process), you can start by filling out an online application form, before moving on to a phone interview, a face-to-face interview, screen test and finally a real life technical challenge. Good luck!
Image credits: Channel 4