The Great British Bake Off has finally confirmed its 2026 return date, with Series 17 beginning on Tuesday, 22 September at 8pm on Channel 4. After weeks of knowing the show would be back in September, we now also have the full line-up of 12 bakers entering the tent and our first series with Nigella Lawson joining Paul Hollywood at the judging table.

Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding return as hosts, while Nigella takes over from Prue Leith following her departure earlier this year. The new contestants range from 21 to 67 and include a paediatric doctor, law student, drag king, NHS worker and retired garment technologist, all hoping to make it through Bread Week, Pastry Week and everything else the tent has waiting for them.

When Does The Great British Bake Off 2026 Start?

The Great British Bake Off Series 17 begins on Tuesday, 22 September at 8pm on Channel 4. Episodes will also be available to stream through Channel 4.

The opening episode will introduce all 12 bakers as they enter the tent for the first time and face Paul Hollywood and Nigella Lawson. The series is expected to continue in its regular Tuesday evening slot, although Channel 4 has not confirmed the complete episode schedule or final date at this stage.

Who Is in The Great British Bake Off 2026 Cast?

This year’s 12 bakers come from across the UK, with a broad mix of ages, jobs and baking styles.

Clara, 24 – Hertfordshire – Marketing graduate
Connie, 63 – London – NHS hospital discharge lead
Danni, 25 – Dorset – HGV service centre administrator
Gabe, 32 – West Midlands – Artist and drag king
Gary, 67 – Nottinghamshire – Retired garment technologist
Molly, 31 – London – Accessibility coordinator
Moyin, 22 – Essex – Political economy student
Mo, 21 – West Midlands – Law student
Nikki, 50 – London – Advertising post-producer
Shannon, 29 – Gloucestershire – Project planner and scheduler
Tom, 25 – West Yorkshire – Hairdresser
Yannis, 28 – London – Paediatric doctor

There are plenty of personalities to watch. Gabe describes themselves as the “daddy of Birmingham drag” and performs as drag king Blü Romantic, while 21-year-old Mo is the youngest baker in the tent. Moyin combines baking with competitive sprinting and brings flavours inspired by his Nigerian heritage. Yannis works as a paediatric doctor and says watching Bake Off helped him learn English after moving to London as a child.

Gary discovered baking later in life and now raises money for cancer charities through bake sales, while Connie, known as “the Cake Lady”, keeps a jar of fruit permanently soaking in rum, wine and cinnamon. Shannon is hoping to bring some “forest magic” into the tent, and Clara plans to bring Portuguese flavours and plenty of colour to her bakes.

Is Nigella Lawson a Judge on Bake Off 2026?

Yes. Nigella Lawson joins The Great British Bake Off as a judge for Series 17, replacing Prue Leith after her departure from the programme. Nigella will sit alongside returning judge Paul Hollywood, while Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding remain as hosts. Her arrival is one of the biggest changes to the show this year and means Series 17 will be the first time viewers see Paul and Nigella judging the bakers together.

For CultureCues, having an exact Bake Off date makes it feel like autumn has officially arrived. We cannot wait to see Nigella alongside Paul for the first time, and the new batch of bakers already sounds like a fun group. We definitely have a few early favourites from the introductions, although experience tells us that will probably change about five minutes into the first Signature Challenge. Time to get the tea and cake ready, because September just got a little sweeter.

The Great British Bake Off Series 17 begins on Tuesday, 22 September at 8pm on Channel 4.