The tent has been decorated and the invitations have been sent out for two very special Christmas episodes of The Great British Bake Off. Eight bakers of Bake Off past return to the tent to compete once more. In this first episode there's another chance to see Mary-Anne from Series 2, Ali from Series 4, Cathryn from Series 3 and Norman from Series 5. The bakers face three festive challenges, starting with the signature challenge. Paul and Mary want them to make some highly decorative Christmas bakes that require intricate icing. For the technical challenge, Mary has a special present of mystery ingredients and a recipe which, if the bakers follow correctly, will produce a stunning bake, decorated with chocolate snowflakes. And finally there is the showstopper, for which the bakers must produce a festive masterpiece with Christmas theme.
The tent has been decorated and the invitations have been sent out for two very special Christmas episodes of The Great British Bake Off, featuring returning contestants from previous years. A festive welcome awaits four more returning bakers - Chetna from Series 5, Howard from Series 4, James M from Series 3 and Janet from Series 2. The judges have set three festive challenges, starting with a savoury signature to get the Christmas party started. In the technical, Paul has a gifted them a bread challenge that's not for the faint-hearted. The final challenge, the showstopper, is huge, as the judges lay the festive gauntlet and ask the bakers to make a trio of Christmas favourites. But who will hold their nerve and produce the perfect desserts?
The title of Christmas Star Baker is on the line for Val, Selasi, Beca and Paul as they serve up their best Yule logs, mince pies and snow globe cakes.
It's a mouthwatering winter wonderland when Rav, Benjamina, Rob and Sandy return to bake snowy bombe Alaska tarts, Kransekakes and magical ice cakes.
Yuletide cheer abounds as returning bakers Flo, Liam, Jane and Andrew prepare iced biscuits, Icelandic flatbread and gift-shaped hidden design cakes
Paul awards his first hug as Kate, Steven, Tamal and Candice whip up iced stollen wreaths, meringue snow eggs and New Year's resolution cakes.
Bakers Briony, Yan, Terry and Tom make a sweet and savory return and tackle cake pops, sausage roll wreaths and gingerbread showstoppers.
Noel, Sandi, Prue and Paul welcome the cast of Derry Girls to the festive tent as they compete for Star Baker and see in the New Year with the London Community Gospel Choir.
Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Matt Lucas and Tom Allen are joined by past bakers James Hillery (Series 8), Ruby Bhogal (Series 9), Jamie Finn (Series 10), and Rosie Brandreth-Poynter (Series 10) to celebrate Christmas in the tent. And Alexandra Burke performs her magical version of Silent Night.
Noel Fielding, Matt Lucas, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood see in the New Year with past bakers Helena and Henry (2019), Nancy (2014) and Rahul (2018), and a cosy sing-song around the piano.
It's A Sin's Olly Alexander, Nathaniel Curtis, Lydia West and Shaun Dooley compete for the coveted Christmas Star Baker title, and the London Community Gospel Choir perform All I Want for Christmas
'Tis the season to be jolly. Celebrate with some Yuletide specials of Bake Off. Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding see in the New Year with 2018 Bake Off runner-up Kim-Joy and fellow baker Jon, and Hermine and Rowan from the 2020 Bake Off bubble
Gaby Roslin, Sir Tony Robison, Miquita Oliver, Terry Christian and Claire Sweeney compete for Christmas Star Baker, and there's a beautiful performance of Swan Lake by the English National Ballet.
2021 Bake Off finalist Chigs, 2020's Lottie and Manon and 2018's Antony battle it out to win the first Star Baker of 2023, before seeing the New Year in with a performance from Riverdance.
Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith get festive with the bakers of Christmas past and a performance from the Citizens of the World Choir.
