The Bake Is Back - the countdown to Great British Bake Off 2026 starts here

[GetSetFake]

Trailer for the new series just dropped - no transmission date yet though.

Anyone else excited to see how Nigella gets on as the new judge? A worthy successor to Pru and Mary, I think.

Yes, I need one now. or twenty.

Why is the new version of ‘An Extra Slice’ not on for an hour?

We actually have a thrupple within my extended family. Good to know it’s mainstream, though I wouldn’t want it to be dead common, like fluffy sliders.

Danni is really annoying, sorry.

Aagh - Extra Slice replacement is on tonight, not Friday! Not sure how I feel about that…

The first one has been longer a few times, maybe since they moved from the BBC? They have a lot of people to get round in the first few episodes. I can't remember if it's just week 1 or if it goes on for a few weeks.

I am a bit confused by Gabe. They describe themselves as a drag king, so does that mean they were originally a woman but now dressing up in cabaret as a man? Possibly having gone through some hormone therapy to seem more male? Or have I got that wrong?

But not immediately, in an hour, which feels odd…?

I think it’s hard to get round to them all when there is a full tent of bakers, it gets easier once a few have been culled.

Might watch on catch up … it’s a bit past my bedtime

@Fast800goingforitintjink the first few episodes are 90 minutes just because of the amount of contestants they have. Then after a while it’s 1hour 15

Danni and Clara both exceptionally irritating. I was so impressed by Molly pulling herself together to produce something after her cake drop.

Watching on +1 so only one challenge in for me.

Really? Noel is the one who anchors it for me, and is the element that you couldn't take away.

He has the right balance of being kind but also gently taking the piss to amp up the humour, and let's face it, there isn't enough to the show without a dash of humour. Watching people bake stony-faced would be a bore. He's the one who makes me think: "That's what I thought too." Kind of like the friend you relate to on a night out.

Paul takes himself too seriously to bring humour, Alison is bubbly and sweet but really doesn't say anything of substance, and I have not decided on Nigella yet. She actually seems nervous tonight.

@PotterHead1985 Conchita was much more attractive!

They’re trying to trick us into watching some reality shite for an hour…fat chance C4…

So in theory yes. Generally drag queens are men and drag kings are women. However you do get a few female queens and male kings. And of course you have the folks who identify as non-binary who also do drag. It's no longer clear cut

Yea im gonna watch extra slice tomorrow. Not hanging around for an hour whilst whatever that shite is is on

Enjoyed that. Quirky bunch. Like Nigella!

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel
about Nigella but I thought she was fabulous!
Danni and Gabe I found a bit annoying but perhaps I’m a bit mean.
Some very good bakers and I look forward to the rest of the series.
Second Helpings on soon. I hope it’s as good as an Extra Slice.

The podcast @AlphabetBird mentioned upthread said the audience is something like 50% under 30. Which probably explains the high number of 20 somethings this year, and might be why they've gone for a later evening slot for the follow up. While leaving the show where it traditionally is for the family audience?

How very daring of Bake Off. Not 🙄

gingercat man to win
or the lady who said "its just bloody cake" when one fell over and the baker was upset

To be fair...it is channel 4. Would you expect anything different?!

You guys would be as horrified as I was when Nisha Katona was making something in a restaurant for a TV programme. She was actually cooking a flatbread or something like that and it had a big long hair in it. I can't believe nobody noticed.

That was O/T so I will add that DP and I enjoyed it and I particularly like Tom. Nigella is savage when she eats! She is brilliant, no fucks given 😁

I misread that as gingerbread man. I shall now refer to gingerbread as gingercat!

True. Doesn’t it host Naked Attraction?

And when they use the wrong chopping board?

Or when someone (i can't remember if it was pru on gbbo or the presenter on gibo) said in response to someone not serving something because it wasn't right/cooked/whatever, that they'd rather have been served it anyway to be served something!!! Nooo. If it isn't right you dont put it on the plate!