On your marks, get set, bake! The most wholesome show on television, The Great British Bake Off, is returning to Channel 4 this month for its 17th series – and we can hardly wait. Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding are back in the tent as hosts, while the legendary Nigella Lawson is joining Paul Hollywood at the judging table this year, after Prue Leith stepped down earlier this year.
Nigella isn’t the only big personality entering the tent, there’s a wonderfully eclectic line-up of 12 amateur bakers joining her as they hope to impress with their signature bakes – and dream of receiving a Hollywood handshake. From a West Midlands drag king to a paediatrician, it’s set to be one of the most entertaining series yet.
So, as we preheat the oven and get ready for cosy nights in, here’s everything you need to know about The Great British Bake Off series 17, including its hosts, judges and how to watch it.
What do we know about The Great British Bake Off series 17?
Channel 4 have mixed things up for this series. Dame Prue Leith, who took over from Mary Berry in 2017, stepped down from the show after nine series and over 400 challenges. Nigella Lawson is taking over, joining Paul Hollywood to judge the 12 hopeful contestants at the gingham altar. Fans will be pleased to know that Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding will reprise their roles as hosts, ready to bring warmth and comic relief as the bakers grapple with the intense time pressure.
As ever, the show follows a set formula; there are 12 contestants from all over the country (who we’ll unpack later) entering the tent to take on the competition. In each episode there are three tasks: a signature bake, a technical challenge and a show-stopper. Every week for 10 weeks, one contestant is eliminated and another is crowned star baker – and the drama culminates in a final where the top three bakers go head-to-head for the victory.
Is there a trailer for The Great British Bake Off series 17?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for The Great British Bake Off series 17 below.
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Who are the contestants of The Great British Bake Off series 17?
The upcoming series of The Great British Bake Off is showcasing a vibrant assortment of new bakers from all over the country. Here’s a run-down of who we’ll be meeting very soon:
Clara
The passionate Portuguese polyglot pocket rocket Clara, 24, moved from Aveiro, Northern Portugal, to the UK when she was 18 to study marketing. She only started baking cakes two years ago as a creative outlet, and went on to recreate Portuguese classics such as Tarte de Nata for her British fiancé Kieran and his family. Her colourful personality is reflected through her ‘chaotically beautiful designs’ and when she’s not perfecting her bakes, she loves spending times with her spaniel Gigi and pygmy hedgehog, Pecan,
Connie
Lifelong baker Connie, 63, an NHS discharge lead from London is known as ‘the Cake Lady’ and relies on baking to unwind after hectic workdays. Her signature bake is a hearty carrot cake and she keeps a jar of fruit permanently soaking in rum, wine and cinnamon. She often plays a thriller series or listens to an audiobook while baking (talk about multitasking!) and also runs a music school with her husband of 23 years, Myke. Her students love trying her recipes!
Danni
Danni, 25, from Dorset, is an experimental baker, tech enthusiast and gamer who loves exploring the countryside and foraging for ingredients. Her bakes combine foraged goods and unusual flavours such as ube and red bean paste and she’s often inspired visually through video games. She lives with her parents, sisters and three cocker spaniels, and works alongside her dad at a HGV service centre.
Gabe
Originally from Grimsby, Gabe, 32, is now the self-styled ‘daddy of Birmingham drag’ and lives in the West Midlands with partners Ellis and Tyler and their two sausage dogs, Dill and Sage. Gabe first discovered baking aged 13, after watching the first series of Bake Off and describes their baking style as ‘gorgeous but very home-made’ – and they have a preference for savoury over sweet bakes. Outside the kitchen, Gabe produces theatre shows and performs as their drag persona, Blü Romantic and even designs costumes.
Gary
Chesterfield native Gary, 67, a retired garment technologist, discovered his love for baking later in life after buying his first cookbook in a gift shop five years ago. Gary has developed a traditional and precise baking style and prizes himself on impeccable presentation. Now he lives in Nottinghamshire with his wife of more than 30 years. Their countryside home is filled with animals including: sheep, horses, chickens and miniature pygmy goats and Shetland ponies. He also has two Border Collies: Ollie and Alfie, who are his pride and joy. As a prostate cancer survivor, he’s passionate about raising awareness and funds for the disease through bake sales.
Mo
Law student Mo, 32, who was born and bred in the West Midlands, first discovered his love of baking aged three when he would pretend to cook with Play-Doh. Aged nine, he discovered a video about mug cakes and became hooked – progressing on to boxed cake mixes and eventually mastering professional bakes. He enjoys infusing Asian flavours into British classics, and when he’s not baking or studying, you’ll find him in the gym, or at home with his family and three cats – Pablo, Simba and Gucci.
Molly
Molly, 31, started baking over 25 years ago, and she inherited her passion from her grandmother. She prefers traditional and classic flavours, with mint, hazelnut and fresh fruit among her favourites. In 2020, she underwent a difficult period with her health and turned to baking to help her through. Now, she lives in London with her husband Ash, and their sausage dog, Lando. Outside the kitchen, she works for a disability charity, reviewing accessibility in transport. She’s also a huge musical theatre and Formula 1 fanatic!
Moyin
High-achieving Moyin, 22, balances baking with his studies, a part-time job and athletics. From Essex, he first started baking with his mother aged five and had mastered the delicate art of macaronage! His baking style is fun and precise and he’s inspired by his Nigerian heritage, including grains and groundnuts in his recipes. When he’s not kneading bread, he’s a competitive sprinter and music-lover. He lives with his mum, sister and grandma.
Nikki
Former podium dancer Nikki, 50, makes sure her colourful personality shines through in her bright bakes. She started baking aged 7 with her mum, and has always found baking to be a form of therapy. Nikki shares her baked goods with her ‘soulmate’ of 22 years, Tom, and 16-year-old daughter Ava. When she’s not whisking up a storm and working as an advertising post-producer, she loves hitting the dancefloor at R&B clubs and going to the theatre.
Shannon
Outdoor enthusiast and project planner Shannon, 29, grew up in Bristol and now lives in the Gloucestershire countryside with her fiancé Scott, her two black Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Tyrone the tortoise. Shannon can’t remember a time she didn’t bake, and was taught by her beloved nan. She likes to cook with ingredients she’s grown herself, and describes her style as whimsical, quirky and rustic.
Tom
From West Yorkshire, Tom, 25, is a self-confessed northern diva. He started baking aged 6, while his brother played football, he would escape to his nan’s – and mastered the perfect brandy snap before he was 10! His technical skill is evident in his job as a hairdresser in a busy salon, too, where he weaves perfect highlights, and treats his colleagues with his signature caramel brownies.
Yannis
Globetrotting paediatric doctor, Yannis, 28, is of Bangladeshi heritage, and was born in Vienna, before moving to London aged 11. The series has a special place in his heart since watching Bake Off helped him learn English when he first moved over. His first baking memory is making bhapa pitha with his grandmother, while his primary school days in Vienna introduced him to the joy of Austrian Treats. When he’s not treating patients on his busy NICU ward, he’s a keen bhangra dancer.
Who are the hosts of The Great British Bake Off series 17?
As we mentioned, hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding are returning to their roles, and they’ll undoubtably be providing their usual gags to the nervous bakers. Meanwhile, Nigella Lawson is taking over from Prue Leith to co-host with Paul Hollywood.
Nigella Lawson previously told Channel 4 about her new role: ‘I’m uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now! Of course, it’s daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both, but I’m also bubbling with excitement.’
When does The Great British Bake Off series 17 start?
The Great British Bake Off series 17 will air on Channel 4 on Tuesday 22 September at 8pm the following episodes will air weekly in the same time-slot.
