Bake Off 2021 release date announced: Judges, lineup, when does Bake Off start?

Stacey Dooley discusses Great British Bake Off

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

The Great British Bake Off is a staple part of Channel 4’s summer schedule and the new series is coming much sooner than fans think. As the Autumn rolls in, families can gear themselves up for a new season of uplifting telly. Express.co.uk has all you need to know about the release date, judges, cast and more. 

When does Bake Off 2021 start? 

Bake Off fans have been preparing themselves for another batch of exciting episodes as a new group of amateur bakers take to the iconic tent. 

Usually the series airs in August, but last year the 11th outing arrived on screens in September, amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

This year will be the same, with the release date closing in quickly, and the official date was announced on the Bake Off Instagram account. 

They confirmed new episodes will arrive from September 21, 2021, so fans only have a short while left to go. 

The account said: “Bake a date in your diaries – we’re back!” and the post confirmed the 12th season would premiere at 8pm on Channel 4. 

Who are the Bake Off 2021 judges and hosts?

The release date announcement included a photo of some fan-favourites who will be making a comeback. 

The judges this year will once again be Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, and fans enjoyed their wit and humour last season. 

They will be joined by Matt Lucas, who made his debut on the quintessentially British competition series last year. 

Taking over from Sandi Toksvig, he had some huge shoes to fill, but fans fell in love with his jokes and were lulled by his narrations. 

Fans will be pleased to hear Noel Fielding will be returning to host the competition this year. 

He was absent from last year’s series as his partner, Lliana Bird, gave birth to their second daughter, Iggy, in August 2020. 

This meant Matt Lucas was left to present the series alone, and although he was nervous, fans said he did a sterling job. 

Paul Hollywood shared the news of the release date and said: “Not long to wait,” and many previous Bake Off stars expressed their excitement. 

Previous winner Rahul Mandal said: “This is just so exciting!! Can’t wait to meet the new bakers, my new family.”

Fans over in the US are also keen to watch the new season on Netflix, but a US release date has not yet been announced. 

Who is in the Bake Off 2021 lineup? 

Usually, a total of 12 contestants take to the tent to try their hand at the challenges set by the judges. 

Over the course of each week, the participants are eliminated until just three remain in the final. 

At this moment in time, the lineup has not been announced, but more information should come to light in the next few days. 

The 2020 lineup was announced on September 14, eight days before the season started airing. 

With this in mind, fans should hear more about the participants on September 14 or 15. 

Like last year, the 2021 competition will take place at Down Hall, a Victorian country house in Hatfield Heath. 

The hotel and spa has beautiful grounds which make for the perfect backdrop for the Bake Off tent. 

Fans have taken to social media to express their excitement ahead of the new season, with one saying: “Bake Off, Drag Race UK, Sex Education & You all to come this year? Maybe all isn’t lost after all.”

Another said: “I look forward to finding out who’ll be part of this year’s #GBBO lineup.”

A third added: “I’ve never been more excited for anything ever.”

Bake Off 2021 returns to Channel 4 at 8pm on September 21. 

Source: Read Full Article