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 in 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, who has left the show and who has been awarded star baker...
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, which is the semi-final and Patisserie Week, will air on Tuesday, November 19 at 8 pm 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 episodes and 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. New episodes come out on Fridays on Netflix in the US.
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
Episode 4: Caramel Week - Tuesday, Oct 15 in the UK and Friday, Oct 18 in the US
Caramel Week sees the bakers craft caramel biscuits in the Signature challenge before taking on a classic caramel Technical. The Showstopper Challenge sees the bakers making decadent mousse cakes to impress judges Prue and Paul.
Episode 5: Pastry Week - Tuesday, Oct 22 in the UK and Friday, Oct 25 in the US
In Pastry Week the bakers make a frangipane tart in the Signature before setting sail for warmer climes with a flaky Technical. The Showstopper tests the bakers' choux skills as they take on a tricky Paris-Brest, complete with an impressive freestanding podium that could make or break their pastry dreams.
Episode 6: Autumn Week - Tuesday, October 29 in the UK and Friday, Nov 1 in the US
The bakers take on some seasonal challenges in Autumn Week. In the Signature, they bake a sweet, autumn-inspired pie before making a vegan version of a traditional Northern classic in the Technical. The Showstopper sees them celebrating seasonal vegetables by transforming them into celebration cakes.
Episode 7: Dessert Week - Tuesday, Nov 5 in the UK and Friday, Nov 8 in the US
The bakers' meringue-making skills are put to the test before they make their own attempts at Prue's twist on the classic British steamed suet pudding. The Showstopper Challenge sees the contestants putting their own mark on the beloved tiramisu.
Episode 8: 1970s Week - Tuesday, Nov 12 in the UK and Friday, Nov 15 in the US
It's the quarter-finals and the bakers are challenged to whip up a towering profiterole masterpiece, a retro favourite and an elaborately decorated gateau that demonstrates the flair of the era.
Episode 9: Patisserie Week - Tue, Nov 19 in the UK and Friday, Nov 22 in the US
It's the semi-final and the bakers face perfecting a rich, buttery breakfast pastries in the Signature and then challenge their precision in a classic but theatrical Technical. And to earn their place in the final, the bakers make a stunning fruit creation in the Showstopper
Episode 10: The Final - Tuesday, Nov 26 in the UK and Friday, Nov 29 in the US
The three finalists bake delicate scones, prepare a quintessential afternoon tea and create a hanging tiered celebration cake as a centrepiece for a summer garden party. Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding encourage the bakers, while judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith taste their efforts - but only one can be crowned the winner.
Who has left The Great British Bake Off 2024 and who has won star baker?
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.
Week two: After feeling unwell for a second week, Jeff was forced to bow out of the show. Speaking of his departure Jeff said: "This time around just wasn't right for me. I really enjoyed it, everyone has been wonderful, you've got a great group of bakers in there. Alright, I didn't make it very far but there you go." Hazel was also voted off after a disastrous signature challenge and Sumayah was awarded star baker after impressing with her biscuit puppet theatre.
Week three: Bread week is notoriously tricky on Bake Off thanks to the king of bread, Mr Paul Hollywood, being one of the judges. Dylan had a great week, even earning himself a Hollywood handshake for his savoury buns before being crowned Star Baker, while sadly John was voted off after his showstopper failed to impress the judges.
Week four: Caramel is another tricky ingredient to master... but while Georgie proved she could handle the pressure by coming top in the technical and winning star baker for the week, unfortunately, it was Mike who left the show after his caramel mousse cake failed to impress.
Week five: Pastry week was a huge success for Gill, who was made Star Baker after she created an amazing Paris-Brest dessert which both the judges claimed was full of flavor and one of the best things they'd had on the series so far. Meanwhile, pastry got the better of Andy, who leave the show after his showstopper collapsed and he burnt his technical.
Week six: Autumn week saw Sumayah declared the Star Baker. But it was the end of the road for Nelly. Nelly said: "It's not commiseration, it is a positive, I am so ready to leave. I never ever thought I would get to round 6! I know my children are so proud. It's not to teach them to win it is to teach them to enjoy. Don't cry! Everyone is crying… Of course, I am happy — in each of your hearts is a piece of Nelly and you are never going to forget me. Cake – we can bake!'"
Week seven: Dessert week saw Dylan named star baker, while also getting a Hollywood handshake for his signature meringues and winning the Spotted Dick technical. Sadly, Sumayah had a bad week after her Spotted Dick didn't cook properly and her flavours failed to impress Paul and Prue in the tiramisu showstopper. Sumayah said: “I feel like it wasn’t one specific event that let me down, it was just kind of a series of mistakes here and there. I have learned to be more confident in myself and my ideas. You learn a lot from everyone and I feel I am going to take a piece of everyone away with me.”
Week eight: 1970s week saw Georgie crowned Star Baker after she did well in the banoffee pie technical and wowed the judges with her 70s-inspired gateaux. Sadly it wasn't Illiyin's week after her gateaux collapsed in the fridge and she became the latest person to leave the competition.
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 is joined again by Alison Hammond, arrived 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.
