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Great British Bake Off 2017: Who is favourite to win?

Photo credit: Channel 4
Photo credit: Channel 4

From Digital Spy

In a year full of twists that even M Night Shyamalan would call too out-there, 2016's biggest shock was perhaps The Great British Bake Off being snapped up by Channel 4.

With the nation's favourite TV contest about baked goods now well and truly back and cooking on gas (or at least in an oven), here's your handy guide for everything you need to know about the BBC sorry, Channel 4 (still sounds weird) series.

The Great British Bake Off : Who are the finalists?

Kate - 29, Merseyside

Photo credit: PA Images
Photo credit: PA Images

Kate works as a Health and Safety Inspector, and also enjoys blacksmithing and restoring furniture. She started learning to bake two years ago, and prefers to use old-fashioned techniques.

Sophie - 33, Surrey

Photo credit: PA Images
Photo credit: PA Images

Sophie grew up in Suffolk, and now lives with her boyfriend David and their cat Loki. After graduating with a Masters in Psychology at The University of Toulouse, Sophie joined the British Army as an Officer in the Royal Artillery.

Steven - 34, Hertfordshire

Photo credit: PA Images
Photo credit: PA Images

Steven has a background in marketing, and began baking after his mum taught him the basics 25 years ago, and has lost five stone since baking everything he eats.

The Great British Bake Off: who is favourite to win?

It looks like it's going to be a close one this year.

As it stands, Sophie is currently the favourite to be crowned champion according to Betway at 10/11 to win.

Meanwhile, serial star baker Steven is in second place at 6/5.

In third place is Stacey at 6/1, while Kate is tipped to leave the show next at 7/1.

The Great British Bake Off 2017: What stage are we at in the competition?

Time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?

Believe it or not, there are just two episodes left to go until this year's winner is announced.

Channel 4 will air the semi-final of the competition on Tuesday, October 24, and the final will be broadcast on Tuesday October 31 on Channel 4 at 8pm.

The Great British Bake Off: Who has been eliminated so far?

Eliminated in week 1: Peter - 52, Essex

Photo credit: PA Images
Photo credit: PA Images

Peter is an IT Programme Manager, and lives with his wife Tito and their two children. Born in Brixton, he moved to Nigeria when he was seven, but moved back to the UK aged 24. He started baking eight years ago after feeling unwell due to buying shop bought bread.

Eliminated in week 2: Chris - 50, Bristol

Photo credit: PA Images
Photo credit: PA Images

Originally from Sussex, Chris works as a software developer and lives with his wife Catherine. He is a cancer survivor, and is passionate about helping and inspiring others affected by the disease.

Eliminated in week 3: Flo - 71, Merseyside

Photo credit: PA Images
Photo credit: PA Images

Architect Tom lives with his partner David, and was taught to bake by his mother at a young age. He often makes fresh shortbread for friends and family.

Eliminated in week 5: James - 46, Essex

Photo credit: PA Images
Photo credit: PA Images

James lives with his wife Ann, two sons and their three chickens, and he works as a banker in Canary Wharf. He also trained as a port diver for the Royal Navy Reserves.

Eliminated in week 6: Julia - 21, West Sussex

Photo credit: PA Images
Photo credit: PA Images

Originally from Siberia, Julia met her British husband Matt on holiday in Turkey aged 17. After moving to the UK, she spent three years studying British bakes in the hopes of appearing on the show.

Eliminated in week 7: Chuen-Yan 'Yan' - 46, North London

Photo credit: PA Images
Photo credit: PA Images

Yan was born in Hong Kong and moved to the UK when she was two. She trained as a Biomedical Scientist and now works for The Francis Crick Institute as a Lab Research Scientist. She lives with her wife Marian and cat Kacey.

Eliminated in week 8: Liam - 19, North London

Photo credit: PA Images
Photo credit: PA Images

Born in Hackney, Liam is known as 'Cake Boy' by his uni mates. One of his biggest ambitions is to make baking acceptable amongst his peers and the younger generation.

Eliminated in week 9: Stacey - 42, Hertfordshire

Photo credit: PA Images
Photo credit: PA Images

Former school teacher Stacey lives with her husband James and their three sons. She enjoys using her Jewish heritage with her baking, including a traditional Challah every Friday night.

The Great British Bake Off 2017 : When is it on next?

Bake Off returned on Tuesday, August 29 on Channel 4 and continues to air every Tuesday at 8pm.

When it was first announced that Channel 4 was taking Bake Off over, it was reported that due to the BBC's original contract, it would not be able to be shown at all in 2017.

However, this was later ironed out, as speaking at the Realscreen summit 2017, Channel 4's Chief Creative Officer Jay Hunt confirmed that we would see Bake Off on its new home this year.

A Channel 4 spokesperson told Digital Spy: "We are planning to broadcast the next series of The Great British Bake Off in 2017."

And it's also been confirmed that there will be not one, but TWO Christmas specials this year. Each episode will last around 75 minutes, to cater for those pesky adverts.

The Great British Bake Off 2017: Who are the judges?

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Paul Hollywood was the only remaining star of the BBC show when it moved to Channel 4.

"Since I was a kid, baking has been part of my life," Paul said. "The seven series inside the tent have created some great memories. Best of all, I have felt so pleased to experience other people getting the baking bug, just as I did when my dad helped me make my first loaf.

"The Great British Bake Off has brought baking to the nation and we've seen people from all walks of life and backgrounds, experience the highs and lows of competition, and more importantly helping each other."

Paul added: "It's been a huge part of my life in the past few years and I just couldn't turn my back on all that – the bakers themselves, the bakes, the team that makes it, and of course the tent, the bunting, and who could forget... the squirrels.

"So I am delighted that I will be continuing as a judge when Bake Off moves to Channel 4. I want to thank the BBC and Mel and Sue for making my time in the tent great fun and really rewarding."

Mary Berry decided to stick with the BBC after the move, but wished Paul well, telling Digital Spy at the NTAs: "Of course [I will watch the show]. I'll see what they're up to. I want to see Paul because we're still great friends."

As for Paul's next fellow judge, the Great British Menu star and successful restaurateur Prue Leith joined the show as Mary's successor, after weeks of rumours linking her to the show.

"I cannot wait to see what the real stars of the show – the bakers – are going to create for us. It is such an honour to be part of The Great British Bake Off team," she said after the news was announced.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

Paul was pretty pleased about it too: "I could not be more delighted by who will be joining me on the show. Prue is a hugely respected culinary legend, and Sandi and Noel are warm and utterly hilarious. I cannot wait to get back in the tent with the bakers."

"I can wish. I can dream," Prue had told attendees at a charity event in February 2017, confirming that she was in the running. "I've had two auditions with them and lots of meetings.

"So I mean I think I'm close, but I know there are two people in the running. One other person. Of course I'd love to do it. Who wouldn't want to do it?"

Prue added: "I've known Mary for years and she loved it."

The Great British Bake Off 2017: Who replaced Mel & Sue?

Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding are the new hosts of The Great British Bake Off for Channel 4.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

"It is an extraordinary honour to be part of this national treasure of a show," said Sandi (something of a national treasure herself, no?) when the news was announced earlier this year.

"Noel Fielding is one of the nicest guys in showbusiness. The first time I met him I felt like I had met a rather wayward cousin whose take on the world made me laugh. The only downside is that he has much better dress sense than I do."

And Noel was basically excited because, in his own words: "I've always loved brightly-coloured cakes and Sandi Toksvig, so this is a dream come true for me! It's basically the double."

Mel and Sue immediately ruled themselves out of the running for Bake Off on Channel 4 when the BBC lost the rights to the show. "We were very shocked and saddened to learn yesterday evening that Bake Off will be moving from its home," they said in a joint statement back in September.

Photo credit: Love Productions / BBC
Photo credit: Love Productions / BBC

"We made no secret of our desire for the show to remain where it was. We've had the most amazing time on Bake Off, and have loved seeing it rise and rise like a pair of yeasted Latvian baps," they continued. "We're not going with the dough. We wish all the future bakers every success."

Many people were touted as potential replacements, with Richard Ayoade being named as the frontrunner back in October. However, he then signed up for Channel 4's Crystal Maze.

Photo credit: Eugene Gologursky / Getty Images
Photo credit: Eugene Gologursky / Getty Images

Initial reports named Jimmy Carr and Naked Attraction's Anna Richardson – who is Sue Perkins' girlfriend – along with Location, Location, Location duo Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer as early contenders on Channel 4's wishlist – which was also said to include Davina McCall, Clare Balding and Claudia Winkleman.

Dawn French ruled out the chances of her and Jennifer Saunders taking over, saying: "I think that rumour started because what other two girls are there working together?" she said. "It's as simple as that. 'Those two, them'. Absolutely not, no."

The Great British Bake Off 2017: Why did it move to Channel 4?

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

If you're wondering why the hell the BBC lost Bake Off in the first place, here's a very brief explainer.

While series 7 had only just aired a few episodes in 2016, Love Productions (the people behind making the show) announced that it would be the last time it would air on BBC One after extended negotiations.

On September 12, Love agreed to a three-year deal to broadcast the series on Channel 4 instead.

The commercial broadcaster is said to have paid around £25 million a year for the deal, which will include up to 40 hours each year, including various professional and celebrity specials.

Love also reportedly rejected bigger offers from both Netflix and ITV. The BBC was allegedly told it would need to pay £25 million a year to keep Bake Off, which is four times bigger than its previous deal. Instead, the BBC offered to double its payment to around £12.5 million, but this wasn't enough.

At the time, Channel 4 said that it would also air a celebrity version of the show in 2017, in aid of Stand up to Cancer, with Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson the first contestant lined up.

The Great British Bake Off 2017: What's the deal with An Extra Slice?

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Much to the relief of fans, An Extra Slice was not cancelled when Bake Off moved channels.

Jo Brand has continued to hold the spin-off series every week on Channel 4, chatting to the departing bakers and celeb fans about everything that's been going on in the tent.

"As a completely mediocre baker myself, but lover of all things spongey and tarty, I am really looking forward to another Extra Slice and all the fun and frolics that brings," said Jo after Channel 4 confirmed the show would go on.

The Great British Bake Off 2017: And what about Creme De La Creme?

Photo credit: ITV / Rex Shutterstock
Photo credit: ITV / Rex Shutterstock

Wouldn't you just know it? Not content with snapping up one baking-related series from the BBC, Channel 4 has only gone and nabbed the rights to its younger, fancier spinoff Crème de la Crème too.

Angus Deayton hosted the show's second series, which launched on BBC Two in 2017 (replacing last year's host Tom Kerridge), alongside professional pastry chefs and judges Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden.

It's not yet known who will be returning to the show when it arrives on C4.

The Great British Bake Off 2017: Can we see the first trailer again?

The first trailer for Channel 4's Bake Off landed in August 2017, and here it is in all its glory, with a cameo from a familiar-looking bread lion. Also, we reckon Noel Fielding definitely had something to do with those cakes:

Its first full-length trailer was then released later that month. Enjoy:

We also saw a few teaser pictures, courtesy of a certain Paul Hollywood.

The 'Fab Four' were seen in a picture earlier this year enjoying an ice cream while filming for the show, while Paul also teased the new tent:

The Fab Four! Hottest day in the Bake Off Tent ever! ☀☀☀

A post shared by Paul Hollywood (@paul.hollywood) on Jun 21, 2017 at 10:17am PDT

Meanwhile, Paul also spoke out following tabloid allegations regarding the Channel 4 hosting line-up. Rumours began to swirl that the new team were butting heads as filming got under way – rumours that were firmly denied by bosses at the channel.

"The presenters are on for about five minutes and the bakers are on there for 50 minutes, so they are the stars of the show," Hollywood told The Sun.

"The characters on this year's show are the strongest we have had and the standard is 10 times higher.

"People get wrapped up in all this 'host and judges' thing too much. They forget that it's all about the bakers."

The Great British Bake Off 2017 review: What have the critics said?

And the critical feedback was VERY good for the new Bake Off, as the early reviews were highly positive:

The Guardian

"On the evidence of the first episode, Channel 4 and Love Productions, who make the programme, have achieved the most difficult of all bakery-related metaphors – having their cake and eating it. The eighth series of the extreme patisserie challenge manages to seem both exactly the same but also just subtly different enough."

Photo credit: Channel 4
Photo credit: Channel 4

Radio Times

"Partnerships, like revamped TV programmes, always need time to get going and warm up. As a duo, Noel and Sandi shouldn't work together... and yet they sort of do. Basically, a bit like GBBO finding a home on C4.

"We'll always mourn the BBC era of the baking behemoth, but this is what we've got now. It's a bit rough around the edges, a little burnt on the outside. But it's still our Bake Off."

The Telegraph

"In happy conclusion, dough devotees can rest easy. Mary, Mel and Sue might be gone but the show's recipe remains as winning as ever. Good bake."

The Daily Mail

"Despite having all that cash thrown at it, it hasn't changed a bit. The tent is the same; the bunting is the same; the challenges are the same; even the pastel-hued mixing bowls are the same."

The Sun

"It is as far from the feared car crash as it could be. It is basically a carbon copy of the BBC version.

"Noel Fielding, Prue Leith, Sandi Toksvig and Paul Hollywood all walking into the same venue sounds like the start of a bad gag, but it actually makes good telly."


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