There is great news for fans missing The Great British Bake Off 2024 (or The Great British Baking Show if you are in the US) because we now have The Great British Bake Off Christmas specials 2024 just around the corner.
Once again we have two festive episodes to look forward to, one at Christmas and another at New Year, meaning there is lots of Bake Off joy to look forward to over the holiday season.
Once again Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding will be back in the famous white tent to set festive baking challenges for some very familiar faces - and of course, Paul Hollywood MBE and Dame Prue Leith are back to judge everyone's baking skills.
But who will be battling it out to win festive star baker this year? Here is everything you need to know about The Great British Bake Off Christmas specials 2024...
The Great British Bake Off Christmas specials 2024 release date
The first of The Great British Bake Off Christmas specials will air on Christmas Eve at 8pm on Channel 4.
The second episode, which is a New Year 2024 special will air on Friday 3rd January 2025 at 7.40pm on Channel 4.
Both Christmas episodes will be available to watch on Channel 4's catch-up service, Channel4.com
The Great British Bake Off Christmas specials 2024 bakers
The Christmas episode will see some of the UK's most famous soap stars show off their baking skills as EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy follows in her daughter Eliza's footsteps (Eliza appeared in Junior Bake Off 2022 ) and heads into the tent with her screen sibling Dean Gaffney.
Joining them will be Coronation Street favourite Shobna Gulati and Emmerdale stars past and present Chris Bisson and Sheree Murphy - who has also starred in Hollyoaks and Neighbours).
First, they must make their signature yule log and complete a tricky technical, before constructing a festive soap scene from biscuit. Whose will be worthy of a doof, doof and star baker. There’s also entertainment from former celebrity baker Paloma Faith singing Christmas Prayer.
Then for the New Year special, it’s Happy Hogmanay from Scottish former Bake Off stars Lea Harris from season one, James Morton from season three, Norman Calder from season five, Peter Sawkins winner of series 11, Kevin Flynn from season 13 and Nicky Laceby from season 14.
They return to bake their signature black buns – a pastry-covered fruit cake – and a boozy Cranachan showstopper. Plus, Schuggie & The Big Moose Ceilidh Band start a New Year knees-up. On your marks, get set… BAKE!
The Great British Bake Off Christmas specials 2024 hosts
Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding will be back to their presenting duties once again for the festive specials - and as with the main Bake Off show, expect lots of capers, silliness and of course, pep talks from Alison as bakers get the wobbles.
Speaking of the Christmas cast, Alison said: "It was a dream cast if I'm honest with you. Dean was so, so funny. He literally didn't have a clue. He didn’t even know how to cook toast. He really tried, it’s not like he's going there for a joke. He took it seriously. That's what I love about celebrity bakers. They take it seriously. They don't come to mess around!"
The Great British Bake Off Christmas specials 2024 judges
The Great British Bake Off wouldn't be complete without Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith and the pair are back to cast their expert eye over the bakers' festive offerings again this year.
Speaking of the Christmas special, Paul said: "The standard was alright. You could tell Natalie had baked before and Sheree was doing her best. Shobna was decent – she gave us some great bakes that tasted amazing. The guys did quite well as well… well, Dean didn’t. Dean struggled, bless him, but Chris did an amazing job!"
Talking of the Scottish theme for the New Year special Prue said: "I loved it– it was all Scottish. Paul and I got dressed up. I was wearing the Leith tartan. There are two Leith tartans, actually, one is the Port of Leith because the Port of Edinburgh is called Leith and the other is a family tartan from Aberdeen… that's my tartan. I was wearing a full-length skirt and proper jacket and all the rest of it. And Paul was in full evening dress kilt and sporran!"
Is there a trailer for The Great British Bake Off Christmas specials 2024?
Sadly we are still waiting for a trailer, but if one is released we will add it to this guide.
Behind the scenes and more on The Great British Bake Off Christmas specials 2024
The Great British Bake Off 2024 began on September 24, 2024, with Georgie Grasso beating Dylan Bachelet and Christiaan De Vries to be crowned the winner.
