The Great British Bake Off 2026 will return to Channel 4 this September, with Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding back as hosts and Nigella Lawson joining as a judge, replacing Prue Leith who confirmed her exit earlier this year.
Channel 4 has confirmed the air date will be in September but has not yet announced an exact day. In 2025, the show premiered during the first week of September, so this year's launch is expected to be closer to the end of the month.
New judge Nigella Lawson joins the tent
Nigella Lawson is stepping into the judging role for the upcoming series, marking her debut on the show. Long-standing judge Paul Hollywood remains on the panel.
At the end of August, the official Instagram account teased the new series with the post: "Right, that’s it, summer’s over because THE BAKE IS BACK." The post added: "A brand new series of The Great British Bake Off starts next month on Channel 4 #GBBO."
Hosts and judges tease what's to come
Paul Hollywood built anticipation for the season, saying: "It’s a great season … enjoy." Nigella Lawson also expressed her excitement, saying: "And so excited for you to meet the bakers! Such a lovely lot." Presenter Alison Hammond confirmed the new series is going to be "awesome".
What fans can expect
The upcoming series will feature a new line-up of contestants showcasing their cake and pastry skills, with favourite segments such as biscuit week and showstoppers expected to return. Channel 4 has not yet revealed the names of the bakers taking part in the tent this year.
The show returns at a time when the weather cools and evenings become cosier, offering viewers a fresh batch of baking challenges and creations.
