It’s time to don the aprons and deck the baking tent with tinsel – The Great British Bake Off is back with its much-anticipated Christmas and New Year specials! Channel 4 has officially revealed the line-ups, promising a treat for fans of both baking and British television’s most iconic soap stars.
Christmas Special: Soap Stars Take the Tent
This year’s Christmas episode will be a soap opera spectacular as stars from EastEnders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street (and more!) swap scripts for spatulas. Among the festive bakers are:
- Dean Gaffney (EastEnders),
- Natalie Cassidy (EastEnders),
- Sheree Murphy (Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, and Neighbours),
- Shobna Gulati (Coronation Street, Emmerdale), and
- Chris Bisson (Coronation Street, Emmerdale).
Doof-doof! We're putting the tinsel up in the Tent for a special soap-themed Christmas Bake Off.
Celebrity bakers @DeanGaffney1, @ShereeMurphy, @ShobnaGulati, @Nat_Cassidy and @ChrisBisson are joining Paul, @PrueLeith, @NoelFielding11 and @AlisonHammond for festive fun. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/Q4N9GswO78— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) November 15, 2024
They’ll face off in a series of yuletide challenges under the watchful eyes of judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood. While they’re more accustomed to dramatic plot twists, will they rise to the occasion—or crumble like a poorly-proofed pastry?
New Year’s Special: Fan Favourites Return
When the clock strikes midnight, Bake Off will ring in 2024 by welcoming back some beloved contestants from past seasons for its New Year’s special. This year’s line-up includes:
- Kevin Flynn (2022 series),
- Norman Calder (series five),
- James Patrick Morton (series three runner-up),
- Lea Harris (the show’s first-ever Scottish contestant),
- Nicky Laceby (series 14), and
- Peter Sawkins (series 11 winner).
Happy Hogmanay!
Bakers @KevinFlynnBakes, @NormCalder, Nicky, @BakingJames, @BakersBunny and Peter are joining Paul, @PrueLeith, @NoelFielding11 and @AlisonHammond for The Great New Year's Bake Off. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/K9MNL8sQKc— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) November 15, 2024
These returning bakers will battle it out for New Year’s glory, and judging by recent winners – like Maxy Maligisa (2024) and Kim-Joy (2022) – the competition is bound to be fierce.
When is The Great Christmas Bake Off on?
The tinsel is up in the most famous tent on TV reallyyyyy soon, and we’ll keep you posted as soon as we know the date!
Want even more festive TV to feast on? Channel 4’s holiday line-up is shaping up to be a real (Christmas) cracker, with Bake Off being just one highlight. Sign up to get more festive faves hot of the Freely press! You’ll love it...
