Great British Bake Off is back! Here's everything you need to know about the new series

Great British Bake Off logo - Channel 4

Good news for baking fans...

Just when it seemed we wouldn't be seeing The Great British Bake Off on our screens this year, it has been confirmed that the series will be returning later this year.

And better still - filming in the infamous baking tent has already begun!

Prue, Paul, Noel and Sandi on The Great British Bake Off

Prue, Paul and Noel will be joined by new team member Matt Lucas for the new series (Picture: Channel 4) (Image credit: Channel 4)

According to Deadline the much-loved Channel 4 show started production two weeks ago.

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The website also reports that according to production company Sky Studios' CEO, Gary Davey, the filming is going "very well."

Filming with social distancing

To make sure that the TV show sticks to the current social distancing regulations, the cast, contestants and crew, including new presenter Matt Lucas, have been in quarantine in the run up to filming.

Fans will know that judge Sandi Toksvig left the show at the end of the last series and Matt will be joining Noel Fielding to deliver all the soggy bottom-related puns that fans know and love.

Great British Bake Off

The new series of Great British Bake Off has started filming (Picture: Channel 4) (Image credit: C4)

There have also been reports that the show has moved to a new remote location instead of the usual Welford Park, where filming usually takes place.

Speaking of the new filming location, Sky Studios' chief commercial officer, Jane Millichip, has revealed: "It's all happening in deep secret, somewhere in darkest, deepest Britain in the shires.

"You will have your Victoria sponge this year."

With the new series of Bake Off not being included in the Channel 4 autumn press pack, it seems likely that it might now air in the winter.

Great British Bake Off

Matt Lucas is joining the Great British Bake Off team for the new series (Picture: Getty) (Image credit: Getty Images)

However, with TV scheduling still recovering after coronavirus shut down filming across the country, this could still change.

So with a new series of Great British Bake Off to look forward to later this year, it seems we might be able to brush up on all those baking skills we discovered in lockdown after all. Hurrah!

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.