It’s back – and with a seriously high-profile judge in tow. The Great British Bake Off continues to be a highlight of the TV cookery show calendar, even after 16 years of it gracing our screens.

Whilst the format remains relatively unchanged, a certain new judge is causing a serious stir. Read on for more about her and everything else we know about Bake Off 2026.

The Great British Bake Off 2026 start date is Tuesday 22nd September, at 8pm.

The Great British Bake Off airs on Channel 4, with new episodes released weekly on Tuesdays and then available to watch on All4's catchup service. This year, a new companion show called Second Helpings — hosted by Jon Richardson and Judi Love — airs on the same night, replacing the previous spin-off An Extra Slice.

This is the big one – while Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding return as hosts, Dame Prue Leith has decided to step away from the show after nine years as a judge. Taking her place alongside Paul Hollywood is the legend that is Nigella Lawson – which everyone is, naturally, very excited about.

The tent's usual mix of weekly themes returns, including cake, bread, biscuits, desserts, pastry and patisserie, alongside chocolate, which has become a fixture in recent series. This year's Cake Week challenges have reportedly been set by Nigella Lawson herself, so expect some of her personal favourites to make an appearance.

The Great British Bake Off series sixteen was won by medical student Jasmine Mitchell, who beat runners-up Tom Arden and Aaron Mountford-Myles in the final. Jasmine picked up a record-tying five Star Baker titles over the course of the series.

The show has always been filmed in the grounds of the Welford Park Estate in Berkshire, and will return there for series 17.