When does Bake Off start? Everything you need to know about the Great British Bake Off 2026 - judges, presenters, contestants, release date
There have been some new additions ahead of the Great British Bake Off’s return later this month.
The Great British Bake Off will soon return to our television screens, with a dozen amateur bakers entering the iconic tent for the first time.
This year’s contestants include those who have been baking for more than 25 years, as well as those who have only taken up the hobby more recently. They will be making their debut in the Bake Off tent alongside Nigella Lawson, who joins Paul Hollywood as a judge on the programme following Dame Prue Leith’s departure.
However, fans of the show will still be able to enjoy the familiar banter of presenters Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, both of whom are back for series 17.
With just a few weeks until Bake Off is back, here is everything you need to know about the new season.
When does Bake Off start?
The Great British Bake Off will return to Channel 4 on Tuesday, September 22 at 8pm.
New episodes will then be released weekly on Tuesdays, with new companion show Second Helpings - hosted by Jon Richardson and Judi Love - to air on the same night as the main show.
Nigella Lawson to make her Great British Bake Off debut
As well as a fresh batch of bakers, there is a new face helping to judge this year’s creations. Television cook Nigella Lawson will join Paul Hollywood, taking over the role from Dame Prue Leith who stepped back from the show after nine seasons last year.
Dame Prue first joined the show when it moved from the BBC to Channel 4 in 2017, following Dame Mary Berry’s departure from the programme.
Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond back for Bake Off series 17
While Lawson makes her debut in the tent, both Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond are returning for the new series.
With his unique sense of fashion, Fielding has been presenting Bake Off since 2017 when he and Sandi Toksvig took over from Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. After three seasons on the show, Toksvig left and was replaced by Matt Lucas who hosted the show from series 11 to 13.
Alison Hammond was then announced to be Fielding’s co-host in 2023, with this year’s edition of the competition marking her fourth series on the show.
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Where is the Great British Bake Off filmed?
While the location has changed throughout the years, for the last several series of Bake Off the tent has been set up in Welford Park.
The country house and estate is located in the Berkshire village of Welford, but it is not open to the public as it is a private residence.
Who won Bake Off last year?
Edinburgh-born baker Jasmine Mitchell was crowned the winner of the Great British Bake Off in 2025, after becoming the first contestant to win ‘Star Baker’ five times.
Now living in London, Mitchell took part in the show all while studying for a medicine degree, sitting her exams and working in hospitals on placement.
In an interview with The Scotsman last year, she described the period as “intense, mentally and emotionally”, but she also said it was “such a privilege” to bake in the tent.
As for how she secured her victory, she said: “I really, really avoided thinking any steps further ahead than what I was doing in that moment.”
Perhaps sound advice for this year’s bakers.
Bake Off: Who are this year’s contestants?
As usual, there are 12 amateur bakers going to head to head to win the Great British Bake Off cake stand. This year’s contestants range from university students to retirees, across a wide range of professions, from a paediatric doctor to a drag king.
You can find out more about all of the contestants from series 17 of Bake Off here.
Where can I watch the Great British Bake Off?
Whether you are looking to catch up on past seasons or are eagerly anticipating new episodes, the Great British Bake Off is available to stream on the Channel 4 website or app.
As well as the standard edition of the show, fans can tune into The Great Celebrity Bake Off for SU2C - including an episode with now-host Hammond - festive specials, Junior Bake Off, Bake Off: The Professionals and even the Great Australian Bake Off.
For those in countries such as the US, Bake Off - or the Great British Baking Show - is available to stream on Netflix.
The Great British Bake Off series 17 will premiere on Channel 4 at 8pm on Tuesday, September 22.
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