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

Yes unfortunately John deserved to go with all his crying and drama when he should have just got on with the baking.

To be fair, he wasn't prosecuted and his company wouldn't comment, so we only have the word of his ex colleagues who were prepared to talk to the Mail and the Sun. And the tabloids are quite capable of making stuff up. So I would take it with a pinch of salt, maybe.

But I bet C4 were glad he went out early. I did think it would be awkward for them if he won.

Pah. I like Dylan but I thought Nelly did a really good job all round this week. Anyway, on to Caramel Week!

Caramel has been the undoing of many a baker! Jane on the Bake Down podcast often shudders at the memory of trashing pan after pan as her caramel refused to come good for her.

Have we had a whole week of Caramel before?

Some really great bakes this week. Think almost all of them did really well in the showstopper.

But feel the judging was really rushed.

To answer my own question, a quick google shows that there was indeed a caramel week as recently as 2021, when they made a caramel tart, a twix bar and a caramel domed dessert.

A great series this time round. I like Nelly,Mike,Dylan,Christiaan and older lady whose name escapes me but who I think is a dark horse.

Gill. (Had to look her up.)

Gill the possible guider!

Dylan is like a pirate, he can smash my buckle anytime.
Nellie should have won though.

I’m a keen bread baker and want to try lots of these recipes. I’m sure they used to put contestants’ recipes on the website but I can only see Paul’s technical from this week. So annoying - might have to watch again with the pause button and make notes!

They’re a more talented bunch than usual this year I think. I love Gill!

Prue has always patted contestants on the shoulder when they've done well

I think Prue looked genuinely upset when Alison went on about the new Paul pat

It should be a 'Prue pat along with the 'Paul handshake

Dylan deserved to win star baker but I do love Nellie she's fab

I don't find anything at all wrong with Sumayah's voice. It's just a voice to me like any other

They are a great group of contestants this year

Dylan needed that boost of confidence

Noel and Alison are just brilliant at bringing out the best in everyone.

I had to have a good think about who Gill was too.

Nelly was robbed!

I bake bread twice a week, but mostly plain loaves. All these stuffed buns have inspired me to be more adventurous.
'Swash', not 'smash'. Blooming autocorrect.

Yes. Nelly was robbed.

Nelly was def star baker as she did better in the technical.
John was annoying me by the end so glad he went.
Amazing standard this year and am liking the tweaks to the technical.

I like Dylan and he's sweet how unsure of himself he is –he clearly couldn't believe he was getting a handshake; Paul had to hold his hand out for an awkwardly long time
But I can't quite get past the fact that he came bottom of the technical, whereas Nelly did well all round. Hopefully she'll get Star Baker soon.

I liked John well enough but won't really miss him. Alison looked so gutted that her West Midlands pal was going though.

Andy definitely has an Essex accent, not Cockney. I really like him; he's a sweetheart.
Sumaya is fecking irritating. Speak properly, woman.
I love Gill. 'Northern portions, Paul!'
I like Mike and think he's genuine and funny.
Georgie seems a bit out of her depth.

Caramel Week makes my teeth scream just thinking about it.

I’m really enjoying this year’s contestants too.

I predict Georgie next to go, or Mike

I don't find Sumaya annoying, she's just young

They have to share out star baker - Nelly will get it soon! I think if something really is outstanding as Dylan's bake clearly was it trumps a poor technical.

Finally caught up! NELLY WAS ROBBED! Justice for Nelly!

Sumayah's vocal fry only annoys me half as much as bloody Christiaan's endlessly changing accents. He is driving me mad!

We can't taste what they make so we're at a disadvantage when it comes to who should be star baker or not

Same actually except my oven broke a couple of days ago

Thank god for my bread maker

Haha, we have been amazed by the variety of accents he comes out with! 😂