The Great British Bake Off announce official start date for 2021 series

Not long now... 🧁

Author: Georgie HollandPublished 9th Sep 2021
Last updated 9th Sep 2021

The Great British Bake Off has announced the official start date for the upcoming 2021 series, and we don't have to wait long! With open arms, we will be welcoming back plenty of Hollywood handshakes and soggy bottoms as the show hits our screens on Tuesday 21st September, at 8pm on Channel 4.

Sharing the news on the show's official Instagram page, show bosses shared an image of Paul Hollywood, Noel Fielding, Prue Leith, and Matt Lucas smiling with their cuppas, simply captioning: 'Bake a date in your diaries - we're back! #GBBO'.

The comments section was quickly flooded with excited fans, with one writing: 'Woohoo!!!!! Bring on the puns and buns!! 🥳' and another commenting: 'Can’t wait! 😍😍😍😍'.

2018 Bake Off winner Rahul Mandal even took to the comments to write: 'Just dropped my phone from my hand!! Just can't wait any longer to meet my new bake off family members!! Good luck to you all!'.

It was only last week (3rd September) that the Bake Off released their first official teaser for the upcoming series, revealing that they would be welcoming contestants back to the famous tent 'soon'.

Prior to that, Mr Bake Off himself, Paul Hollywood, amped up the excitement back in July as he confirmed that the 2021 series was officially happening. Taking to his Instagram shortly after England's defeat in the Euros 2020, he wrote: 'After all the disappointment, I need the tent to cheer me up, “hello old friend” ❤️ #comingverysoon x'.

With the date officially in our diaries, we can't wait to start meeting this year's contestants!

The Great British Bake Off will return on Tuesday 21st September, at 8pm on Channel 4.

Check out which celebs took part in Celebrity Bake Off 2021:


Daisy Ridley

Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley will be taking to the tent with the other celebrities! As well as her big break in the sci-fi franchise, Daisy is also known for her role in Murder on the Orient Express.

Reece Shearsmith

Best known for co-creating, writing and starring in sketch show The League of Gentlemen, actor Reece Shearsmith has also starred in Good Omens, Doctor Who and The World's End - as well as co-creating, writing and starring in Psychoville and Inside No.9.

John Bishop

Comedian John Bishop is best known for his hilarious sketch shows, but he's got acting chops as well - starring in Skins as well as an upcoming role in Doctor Who as new companion Dan.

Nadine Coyle

Nadine Coyle became a household name when she won a spot in Girls Aloud after entering competition Popstars: The Rivals in 2002. She's also had a solo career and appeared in the 2019 series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Ade Adepitan MBE

TV presenter, basketball player and philanthropist Ade Adepitan is possibly best known for his work with Comic Relief and Children In Need, but he also presented the London 2012 Paralympic Games and has taken part in various awareness-raising documentaries.

Nick Grimshaw

Celebrity Gogglebox star and radio host Nick Grimshaw will also be taking part in the A-list line-up! Nick is also well-known for having been a judge on The X Factor in 2015.

David Baddiel

Comedian and TV presenter David Baddiel is possibly best known for his partnership with Frank Skinner. The pair have worked on many projects together over the years, but are possibly best known for featuring on the song 'Three Lions', which has become a footballing anthem for England fans.

James McAvoy

James McAvoy will be showing off his baking skills in the upcoming series! Having played a variety of roles throughout his career, James has starred in the likes of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Atonement, the X-Men series, Split and most recently, a TV adaptation of His Dark Materials.

Alexandra Burke

After winning The X Factor in 2008, Alexandra became a huge name, releasing three albums and even returning to the show in 2011 to be a guest judge. She was also a runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, and went on tour with the show The Bodyguard for four years.

Anneka Rice

TV presenter Anneka Rice will be putting her baking skills to the test! Best known for presenting Challenge Anneka, she also appeared on Strictly in 2019.

Dizzee Rascal MBE

Dylan Kwabena Mills, better known as Dizzee Rascal, shot to fame in 2003 when his debut album 'Boy In Da Corner' won the Mercury Prize. Since then, he's achieved four Number 1 singles including 'Dance Wiv Me' featuring Calvin Harris and 'Holiday' as well as 'Bonkers'.

Philippa Perry

Psychotherapist and author Philippa Perry is possibly best known for her documentaries around relationships, such as The Great British Sex Survey, and has appeared on Celebrity Gogglebox with her husband Grayson Perry and their daughter Flo Perry.

Katherine Ryan

Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan will be a familiar face to most, mainly for her stand-up performances and appearances on panel shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats, Mock the Week, Would I Lie to You?, QI and Have I Got News for You. She also recently created and starred in Netflix show The Duchess.

Jade Thirlwall

Jade Thirlwall is a member of Little Mix, one of the biggest girl groups in the world. They started out on The X Factor, becoming the first group in the history of the show to win it, and have recently released their sixth album 'Confetti'.

Anne-Marie

Pop singer Anne-Marie rose to fame for her work with Rudimental, but has gone on to be a huge star in her own right - recently joining the judging panel on The Voice alongside Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am and Olly Murs.

Stacey Dooley MBE

Yet another former Strictly contestant will be taking part in this series of the show - and this one was a winner! Journalist and TV presenter Stacey Dooley may be best known for her hard-hitting documentaries, but she also won Strictly in 2018 with her dance partner Kevin Clifton, who went on to become her real-life partner!

KSI

KSI started out his path to fame as a YouTuber, and is now a boxer, rapper, singer and actor! As well as the recent success of his song with Craig David, 'Really Love', KSI is also a familiar face on Celebrity Gogglebox with his pal S-X.

Rob Beckett

Stand-up comedian and TV host Rob Beckett will show off his culinary prowess in the tent, after rising to fame as the co-host of spin-off show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! NOW! between 2012 and 2014, as well as being the voiceover of Celebs Go Dating.

Dame Kelly Holmes

Dame Kelly Holmes became a national treasure in 2004 after winning Gold medals at the Olympics in Athens for Team GB. After retiring from athletics, she became a TV presenter - and we can't wait to see what she creates in the tent!

Tom Allen

Tom Allen is no stranger to the Bake Off tent, being the co-host of Bake Off: The Professionals as well as the co-host of The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice with Jo Brand. This time, he'll be showing off his own skills instead of commenting on others... We can't wait!

Now read:

Your ultimate guide to The Great British Bake Off 2021 🧁

The Great British Bake Off release first teaser ahead of new series 👀

7 tear-jerking moments from 2020's Bake Off final 🍰

How to listen to Forth 1:

For great music and incredible competitions tune into Forth 1 on 97.3, DAB, online, on the Rayo app, or say ‘Play FORTH 1’ to your Smart Speaker. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years. From Boogie In The Morning, to Garry and Steven getting you home after work, we play you the biggest hits from the world's hottest artists.