When does The Great British Bake Off start and who are the contestants?

Alison Hammond will be a co-host on the new series of the baking show (Ian West / PA Wire)
Alison Hammond will be a co-host on the new series of the baking show (Ian West / PA Wire)

Whip out your baking tins and prep that pastry because a new series of the nation’s favourite baking show is returning to our screens imminently.

The Great British Bake Off is back with a whole new set of contestants vying to be crowned the best inside the tent.

Season 14 will kick off next week and will see 12 contestants battle it out over 10 weeks to be crowned the Ultimate Star Baker.

The contestants won’t be the only new faces: presenting favourite Alison Hammond is joining the tent to follow the antics, taking over from Matt Lucas.

Here is everything we know so far about the new series.

When does The Great British Bake Off start?

It has finally been confirmed! The new season of Great British Bake Off will start at 8pm on Tuesday, September 26 on Channel 4.

The official Twitter account for GBBO announced the news and wrote: “Bake a date in your diaries. Join Paul, Prue, Noel and Alison on Tuesday, 26th September for the return of The Great British Bake Off.”

It was expected to start the week before but the Scotland vs England football match took the 8pm slot on Tuesday, September 12.

Who are the hosts of Great British Bake Off 2023?

We can expect some new friendly faces in the tent this year.

Alison Hammond is taking over from Matt Lucas in the presenting slot and will appear alongside Noel Fielding for fun and frolics as they follow the journeys of the bakers.

Lucas has stepped down after two series, and described the show as a “delicious experience”, but said that he could no longer commit to the show’s schedule alongside his other projects.

But This Morning host Hammond is no stranger to the workings of the show. In 2020, she appeared on Celebrity Bake Off alongside James Blunt and Alex Jones.

Who are the judges of Great British Bake Off 2023?

Paul Hollywood is returning for yet another year as judge, with bakers vying to be given one of his special handshakes for outstanding work inside the tent.

Alongside him will be fellow judge Prue Leith who is also back for another year. The pair have been judging contestants’ bakes together for the past five years.

Who are the contestants?

The short answer is, we do not know. It remains a secret despite the fact the show will be on air soon.

Channel 4 is yet to release the names and details of the 12 contestants but it is expected that the news will be revealed imminently as hype builds around the new series.

How can I watch?

The show will be on Channel 4 every week at 8pm on Tuesdays. Channel 4 also have a catch-up service and an on-demand service online which can be accessed here, should you ever miss your weekly dose of baking goodness.