IT’S that time of year again when a very British battle over who has the best spongecake begins. The contestants for this year’s The Great British Bake Off have now been unveiled and the countdown to the first show is underway.
Bake Off is back?
The new series is days away, fronted again by Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig, who took over from Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins when the show jumped from the BBC to Channel 4.
Still no Mary?
Mary Berry didn’t jump with the show either, but Paul Hollywood is back, as is Prue Leith.
How many years has it been on now?
It’s in its ninth year, regularly draws millions of viewers and has been credited with sparking a renewed interest in baking across the UK and Ireland.
Seriously?
Supermarkets and department stores report sharp rises in sales of baking ingredients and accoutrements when the show takes to the air. Sales of cake-stands at Marks and Spencer surged 243 per cent during one series, while sales of bread makers rocketed by 70 per cent at John Lewis.
What’s it all about then?
If you’ve not yet cottoned on, it features 12 amateur bakers competing against each other in a range of culinary tests, judged by Paul and Prue.
Who are this year’s batch of contestants?
It's the youngest-ever line-up, with seven in their 20s and the oldest contestant 56, while the average age inside the white tent is 31. Those competing this year include a geography teacher from London, a waiter from Surrey and an HGV driver from Essex.
No Scots?
Theatre manager Michael Chakraverty, 26, was born in Newcastle, but raised in Scone and studied in Edinburgh and says he considers himself to be a Scot.
Who won last year?
Indian-born Rahul Mandal, 32, who works as an engineering researcher at Sheffield University's Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. He sometimes cooks on ITV's This Morning.
Has it been filmed already?
It’s shot over a 10-week period between April and June, with bakers spending up to 16 hours a day filming.
What about the contestants’ day jobs?
It films on weekends, so it doesn’t disrupt their working lives, but it does mean they have to keep the weekly progress and winners and losers top secret till the show airs.
They bake a spongecake every day of filming?
Producers bake a Victoria Sponge in each oven every morning before filming begins to make sure all the ovens are ship-shape.
Who’s the most successful winner so far?
Probably Nadiya Hussain who won the sixth series in 2015. She has fronted her own show, The Chronicles of Nadiya, released best-selling cook books and novels as well.
So when do I tune in?
Fans can watch the new series of The Great British Bake Off will begin on Channel 4 on August 27 at 8pm.
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