The Great British Bake Off 2024: next episode, contestants, who's left, theme weeks, trailer, hosts, judges and… (original) (raw)

The bakers from The Great British Bake Off

This year's bakers are ready to impress Paul and Prue. (Image credit: Channel 4 / Mark Bourdillon)

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 ofGreat 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 Caramel Week, will air on Tuesday, October 15 at 8pm 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 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. The next episode airs on Friday, October 11.

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...

jeff from The Great British Bake Off

(Image credit: Channel 4 / Mark Bourdillon)

Jeff is a former university lecturer from New York - left in week 2 after falling unwell

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.

We will update with more weekly themes when they are announced...

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.

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

It’s Bread Week and Paul and Prue are on a roll

Paul and Prue will be back for 2024. (Image credit: C4)

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

The Great British Bake Off 2023 hosts Alison and Noel

Noel and Alison will be back for another series. (Image credit: Channel 4)

Noel Fielding is back for another year in the tent and will be joined once again by Alison Hammond, who joined the show 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?

Bake Off 2023 winner Matt

Bake Off 2023 winner Matt. (Image credit: Channel 4)

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.

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Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off.

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.