Great British Bake Off Christmas special will see fan favourites from past series return to the tent – including beloved Howard Middleton – ahead of C4 move
THE Great British Bake Off is welcoming back a host of former favourites for this year’s Christmas specials – including beloved baker Howard Middleton.
The famous tent is getting a festive makeover for what will be the final two episodes ever airing on the BBC ahead of its move to Channel 4.
Contestants from series past will compete all over again in front of judges Paul ‘Scrooge’ Hollywood and ‘Merry’ Mary Berry, hoping that their bakes avoid the dreaded insult of having a ‘soggy bottom’.
Series four star Howard, who was voted out in week six, will be well remembered for his inadvertent mishaps in the tent.
These included host Sue Perkins elbowing one of his freshly baked muffins and fellow baker Deborah Manger stealing his custard.
And all of those VT clips of him running of course.
Also returning for more fun in the tent is series three star Cathryn Dresser.
As well as her stunning bakes, the bubbly baker will be remembered for her catchphrases, including “fridge and pray!”
Both kitchen stars have enjoyed success following their appearances on the cookery show.
West Sussex-based Cathryn, who was eliminated in week eight, released a children’s cookbook in 2014 as well as making various guest TV appearances to share her tips and tricks.
Former Sheffield council worker Howard now makes a living out of baking.
He blogs his culinary adventures, which include regular appearances at food shows up and down the country.
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Howard is now part of , a baking masterclass that allows fans to cook with GBBO contestants.
He also published his own recipe book in 2015 entitled Delicious Gluten-Free Baking.
A total of eight bakers will return across the two specials.
And things will get competitive as one baker per episode will be crowned the new festive Bake Off champion.
Dynamic hosting duo Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc will be there to bring some festive innuendos to proceedings.
And, of course, it will be the last time they yell ‘BAKE’ on the BBC version of the show.
In September it was confirmed the series would be moving to Channel 4, with these festive episodes the last of the Beeb’s batch.
Sue and Mel followed the announcement with one of their own, stating that they would not be sticking with the show.
A joint statement from the pair said: “We were very shocked and saddened to learn yesterday evening that Bake Off will be moving from its home. We made no secret of our desire for the show to remain where it was.
“The BBC nurtured the show from its infancy and helped give it its distinctive warmth and charm, growing it from an audience of two million to nearly 15 at its peak.”
They added: “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.
“We’re not going with the dough. We wish all the future bakers every success.”
Only Paul Hollywood has opted to move with the format, with Mary Berry also announcing she was hanging up her Bake Off apron out of “loyalty” to the BBC.
The legendary TV chef had a fitting final message for the baking show.
She said: “Farewell to soggy bottoms.”
Air dates for the two festive specials has yet to be announced by the BBC.
