The Great British Bake Off 2026 release date: When does it start?

It's almost time to head back to Welford Park as The Great British Bake Off returns to screens next week!

This year, there's a slight change inside the tent as Nigella Lawson joins the cast as a new judge, replacing Dame Prue Leith who left the show after nine years.

Lawson will judge alongside Paul Hollywood, while Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding return as hosts once more. Despite years in the kitchen and on television, Lawson was rather nervous about the new gig.

"I actually did worry that I didn't deserve the honour to be honest," she told Radio Times and other press. "I did speak to Paul. Paul and I met up and we chatted. You know what kind of baker I am! I love baking, and I'm a bit more ramshackle than Paul, but that's good to have all kinds of baking represented.

"But I just wanted to make sure because I... you know, I did feel a bit... I was following two very eminent ladies, and I wanted to make sure that I felt I could do it."

With a little under a week to go, read on for everything you need to know about The Great British Bake Off 2026.

CONFIRMED: The Great British Bake Off returns on Tuesday 22 September at 8pm on Channel 4.

It all begins with cake week and up first is a stout cake signature, before they get artistic in the technical and serve up a self-portrait showstopper.

The Great British Bake Off 2026 judges and hosts

As previously mentioned, Nigella Lawson joins Paul Hollywood as a judge for this year's Bake Off.

Announcing her appointment, Lawson said she was "at a loss for words" and "intimidated" to follow Prue Leith and Mary Berry, but "filled with enthusiasm" at joining what she called a "national institution".

Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding will return as hosts.

Is there a trailer for The Great British Bake Off 2026?

Yes, Channel 4 unveiled a teaser trailer for The Great British Bake Off in the summer.

You can watch the trailer below.

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The Great British Bake Off returns on Tuesday 22 September at 8pm on Channel 4.

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Authors

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.