The Great British Bake Off 2024 is here (or The Great British Baking Show if you are in the US!), and with the series now in its 15th season, it is fair to say it's a staple in our annual TV calendar.
Once again we have a fresh batch of amateur bakers heading into the famous Bake Off tent to work their magic and hopefully impress judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood. But who will be getting a famous Hollywood handshake and potentially joining the long list of Great British Bake Off winners?
Here is everything we know about this year's series including the full lineup of bakers including their professions and where they're from.
The Great British Bake Off 2024 release date
In the UK The Great British Bake Off 2024 returned to Channel 4 on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, in its usual slot of 8 pm.
The next episode will air on Tuesday, October 1 at 8pm on Channel 4.
There will be 10 episodes of the series, just like in previous years - see our episode guide below for more details. You can also catch up on past seasons at Channel4.com
Better known in the US as The Great British Baking Show, the new batch of episodes began to roll out weekly on Netflix on Friday, September 27. The next episode airs on Friday, October 4.
The Great British Bake Off 2024 contestants
The Great British Bake Off 2024 will see 12 new contestants heading into the tent and this year we have a farmer, a nurse and even a fashion designer all hoping to show off their best baking skills to the judges. Let's meet them...
The Great British Bake Off 2024 themes and episodes
Each week the bakers face the regular challenge trinity: the signature, technical and showstopper. Alongside returning themes of Cake, Biscuit, Caramel, Bread, Pastry, Dessert, and Pâtisserie, there are two new weeks: Autumn and 1970s.
Episode 1: Cake week - Tuesday, Sept 24 in the UK and Friday, Sept 27 in the US
First up, it’s Cake Week and the bakers are asked to elevate a loaf cake to new heights. Next, waiting under the fabled gingham cloth, are the mystery ingredients for a technical with a twist. Finally, they must make a showstopping hyperrealistic illusion cake.
Episode 2: Biscuit week - Tuesday, Oct 1 in the UK and Friday, Oct 4 in the US
In biscuit week, the signature challenge sees the bakers making Viennese sandwich biscuits, before taking a nostalgic turn in the technical, as they recreate a retro minty family favourite. Finally, the bakers take on a dramatic showstopper blending comedy and tragedy, as they craft their own biscuit puppet theatres
Episode 3: Bread week - Tuesday, Oct 8 in the UK and Friday, Oct 11 in the US
Week three is Bread Week, the bakers are challenged to make savoury buns and bread horns filled with delectable delights. In the Technical challenge, the bakers must follow along as Paul Hollywood demonstrates a recipe before them
We will update with more weekly themes when they are announced...
Who has left The Great British Bake Off 2024?
Week one: In a surprise twist, no one left the Bake Off tent in the first episode after Jeff fell unwell and was forced to miss most of the show. John was named Star Baker and Jeff will return in episode 2.
Is there a trailer for The Great British Bake Off 2024?
Yes! The trailer sees Noel and Alison in animated form as a cowboy boot-wearing butterfly and leopard print-clad Queen Bee flying through stormy skies before arriving in a calm and peaceful world of baked goods, eventually arriving at the famous Bake Off tent.
On their journey, Noel and Alison's insect alter-egos see bakes from past seasons including a caterpillar cake and jammy dodgers as a big banner drops saying 'sweet relief' - announcing that the series is returning soon...
The Great British Bake Off 2024 judges
The Great British Bake Off wouldn't be the same without original judge Paul Hollywood and his infamous handshake, and he is back once again for the fifteenth season of the show.
Joining Paul once again is Prue Leith who has also become a much-loved part of the show since it arrived on Channel 4.
Speaking of the standard of baking in this year's series, Paul said: "I was really surprised by the standard. Again. And the journey of some of the bakers, I found fascinating. There was a natural progression of them getting steadily better and better and that's how you do it in the tent.
"There were a few handshakes. It was difficult not to give a handshake. It’s almost a reflex action I have no control over. The brain kicks in and sends a message to my arm and out it goes before I've even had a chance to react!"
Speaking of the new themes - 1970s and Autumn - added to this year's series, Prue told us: "Remember, for me, the 1970s was like yesterday. The 1970s was my decade because I opened my restaurant – Leith’s – in 1969, I opened my cookery school in 1974 and I had my catering business. All of that decade, I was working really hard, but having a great time. It's also the decade my children were born and we moved to the country."
The Great British Bake Off 2024 hosts
Noel Fielding is back for another year in the tent and will be joined once again by Alison Hammond, who joined the show last year after Matt Lucas stepped down from his presenting role.
Alison joked that this year's baking disasters were mainly caused by Noel... " Noel caused quite a few disasters if I'm honest with you. There were a few near misses. We’re basically there to make things easier and sometimes we bring chaos. We did a couple of times!"
Noel also admits they are the naughty kids on set: "Teah. We're a bit too naughty maybe. We kept thinking: ‘Oh, we're being too naughty. We need to rein it in…’ Alison’s son comes and he always laughs at us and just goes: ‘You two are so naughty. I can’t believe you’re getting paid for this!'"
Where is The Great British Bake Off 2024 filmed?
The Great British Bake Off is filmed in a beautiful part of the Berkshire countryside called Welford Park, where the white marquee is positioned amongst trees, a beautiful manicured lawn and local wildlife.
Who won The Great British Bake Off 2023?
Matty Edgell was crowned winner of The Great British Bake Off 2023 after nudging ahead of Josh and Dan after the trio were tasked with a choux pastry signature, a lard cake technical challenge and a celebration cake showstopper in the final.
Matty thrilled the judges with his impressive showstopper, which was a three-tiered cake, with Paul admitting it was one of the best sponges he'd eaten in years.
