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

Agreed Gill for star baker, Geezer to go.

I'd love Gill to be star Baker.

I think Andy goes. He didn't have any good bakes. And he will much missed as he brings fun to the group.

Happy for Gill.

Oh Andy looks devastated ☹️ the others all look devastated for him as well.

I still can't call the overall competition winner though.

Ah, no surprises there. Poor old Andy.

Aww gutted for Andy, seems like a nice chap.

Right decision for both Gill
Being star baker and for Andy leaving

I'd say Dylan must be favourite at this point. His flavours are generally great and he seems to know what he's doing, though that choux ring was a bit of a frisbee. Gill seemed quietly strong from the start and is looking good, as is Georgie. They'd both need to step it up a gear to win, but at the half way point, there is plenty of time for them to do that. Nelly is great and I'll be heartbroken if she goes, but not looking like a winner at this stage, I think.

Christian is a bit bland and has occasionally done quite unappetising flavour combinations. Illyin seems to have quite poor stress management skills for a midwife, she'd need to find her confidence to be in with a chance. Sumayah is a bit inconsistent but has moments of greatness - she could potentially improve quite rapidly if she finds her groove.

And of course, there's always the potential for one of the top bakers to have a bad week and go out in a dramatic Jurgen moment...

@GetSetFake That's a good summary.

Assuming she doesn't win the whole competition, I hope Nelly wins star baker at some point.

And...tonight's finished 7 Strand Plaited Wreath. Happy with the shaping and enjoyed it, but the dough was a bit wet so it lost a bit of definition.

Well deserved. Gill has been quietly good throughout and it's nice to see her showing what she's capable of. I think I'd have been a little bit disappointed no matter who went, but someone had to.

Agree, Dylan is favourite at this point ( to me) - he has interesting flavours AND is telegenic

I haven’t seen anything to convince me Nelly is outstanding, much as I like her

What happened to Marty who imo robbed the other guy (whose name I forget) last year?

I would love Nelly to have her own show. Anyone remember ‘Bitchin’ Kitchen’? I could really see Nelly doing something like that.

Good for her! He's so bloody annoying.

Awww Andy! Bish bash bosh.

Looks lovely!! Enjoy 😍

I loved that!

I was completely distracted by Noel’s pronunciation - ‘Pah-ri Brest’.

Next week's "mystery technical" didn't look that mysterious to me, I'm pretty sure it's parkin.

Surely they'd need to add a twist to turn Parkin into a technical, it's blooming lovely but not the hardest of bakes. Unless they don't give the quantities?

The idea of an "elevated" Parkin loaf is an abomination, surely?

Also, Parkin is a shadow of its potential self until it has matured for a few days.

But we love it here so would be happy to bake along with that one!

They need to keep Nelly (genuinely funny) in to the end to inject some personality into it and Dylan (the housewives' choice) is clearly the most marketable. My bet is Dylan, Nelly, Gill make the final.

It must be a nightmare being in the production team and trying to make sure that "difficult decisions" on eliminations go the way of good TV.

I thought the decisions were right this week. Gill's frangipanes looked lovely and her showstopper was definitely the best. A shame that Andy went as I found him quite endearing but he had a bad week.

I'm liking them all, although Sumayah's voice is really starting to get to me (I know she can't help it!). I still can't pick a potential winner though.

i saw andy today and told him how sad i was that he got booted out. he's such a decent and nice human being. i hope he does something bake-y again.
also he said he's on extra slice tonight which i'd forgotten about as i am not a tom allen fan

Andy on Extra Slice tonight is absolutely lovely

Love that he brought gifts!