Bake off 2024 ... when will there be buns in the oven?

[Hobnobswantshernameback]

Any news yet on when the new series is due to start?
can we expect the same presenting/ judging line up as last year?
Do we think the Hollywood handshake will return?
And please god no tacky theme weeks

I think it's responsible to put out there is support. As @GetSetFake says it was unexpected on a baking show.

Hugs to Nellie x

I don't think it's particularly to "keep some viewers happy" except in that they are trying for a balanced demographic. But I think some older bakers get on because they are quirky regional characters rather than because of their baking skills, and then go out very quickly. It used to happen with men in the early days, but there are so many good male bakers around now it's less common. Maybe they just don't get many over 60s applying though.

i missed it first time as well, was typing and half listening, thought her kids now were twins. Then looked at the link someone posted and found it very touching.

Sumayh has terrible vocal fry.

Nelly is bonkers but lovely. Did they show farmer blokes showstopper??

Hazel's showstopper was terrible.

Yes, it said Mike's farm on one side and had red curtains made of Florentines.

Sumayh has terrible vocal fry

I didn’t know that’s what it’s called. She sounds awful.

Did anyone else pick up on what’s being said in the press about the contestant John Mincher.

Prue describing biscuits as tender?!

Christian should have got star baker ⭐️

I noticed the overuse of the word tender too!!

Just googled. Oh dear. Poor contestant research there!!

Was there some sort of carbon monoxide leak in the tent last night?
Loved the show stopper, glad they've come up with fresh sensible ideas this year.

The application form asks if you have ever been arrested or charged but it wouldn't show up if you'd left a job under a cloud of suspicion. But of course it may all be fabricated or rumours, the tabloids are very good at not letting the truth get in the way of a good story.

I'm not sure that it's bad news for Bake Off as I suspect all publicity is good publicity for them. Pretty hard for him though, this should be an enjoyable 15 minutes of fame and it's going to be unpleasant to be dragged through the press like this. If it's true that's on him though.

I'm over 60 and never root for people based on their age. I thought Hazel was rubbish and needed to go. I get behind whoever is making great cakes!

I do follow this thread
..and this may twinkle some memory cells ...

But I remember a very ... very pretty young lass getting a hand shake after her show stopper a few years ago
She was very polished and always had lipstick on her lips.
?ruby or crystal (sp)

Paul always went go go eyes over her !

We did talk about her on here !

She got to the semi ?

Pouty Candice?

Ruby. She was quite scathing about PH later.

Ruby was beautiful but not especially polished and didn't really wear lipstick.

Candice was the famous lipstick wearer.

This Ruby, from 2018!

She and Rahul both got showstopper handshakes for their chocolate cakes.

Oh yes, she was definitely beautiful and a lipstick wearer. Well done remembering those handshakes.

I’ve done some more digging and according to this website the following got handshakes for their showstoppers:
Josh series 14
Crystelle series 12
Rahul series 9
Ruby series 9

hollywoodhandshakes.com

That's so interesting! Lots of series where the winner didn't ever get one, and a huge variation in how many he gives out. And yes, mostly signature but a few showstoppers. Thanks for that high quality research, @ChessieFL

How on earth did Christiaan not get star baker?
And why the anti-Andy sentiment on here? I really like him. He’s warm, witty, sweet, and I think he’s a good baker.
Nellie was very touching talking about the light in the dark forest and her babies/stars. She is also mad as a box of frogs and I love her. Loved seeing her chase a giggling Noel around They’re kindred spirits.
I liked Dylan’s puppet theatre. His flavours are really original. I suspect he won’t get as far as he might because nerves and silly mistakes will get the better of him.

I think Andy's joke about pinching Paul's car wheels came across as macho posturing but he really showed his softer side this week and I warmed to him. There's no-one I don't like at this point which is rare. I always end up loving them all by the end but there are usually a couple who get on my nerves at first. This lot seem like a good bunch.

I thought it came across as a good-natured, light joke. I find him totally un-macho (which he may or may not appreciate, I don't know )