The Great British Bake Off – C4

(Image credit: Mark Bourdillon / Love Productio)

Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding welcome 12 contestants to the tent, where judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith oversee them in three challenges

More joyous than the smell of freshly baked bread, it’s a delight to be back in the tent with 12 new bakers.

Mouth-watering challenges, Paul Hollywood handshakes and top fashion statements from Noel Fielding await.

And, in a break with tradition, we start with Biscuit Week!

Our bakers – including a retired flight attendant and a nuclear scientist – face a testing signature bake, a nostalgic technical and a tough showstopper – a self-portrait in biscuit form!

'They’re a lovely bunch, we all get really fond of them,' says judge Prue Leith of the new bakers.

'They’re definitely the strongest characters we’ve ever had,' adds Paul.

While one baker sits and eats crisps, another is feeling the pressure, announcing, ‘More people have been in space than in this tent!’ Let’s hope the stress inspires some stunning bakes.

Companion show An Extra Slice returns on Friday at 8pm.

TV Times rating: *****