Bake Off confirm line-ups for festive specials
Two festive episodes will air in December
As well as the current series airing every Tuesday night, The Great British Bake Off bosses have now unveiled plans for their festive specials, with new episodes airing during Christmas and New Year.
As we await the two special episodes, here's everything you need to know including who is taking part and when they'll appear on TV.
Who is on the Christmas Bake Off?
Bosses have decided to turn this year's Bake Off tent into a soap reunion for the 2024 Christmas special, welcoming Dean Gaffney, Sheree Murphy, Shobna Gulati MBE, Natalie Cassidy and Chris Bisson to take part.
The line-up was announced on social media, with bosses writing: 'Doof-doof! We're putting the tinsel up in the Tent for a special soap-themed Christmas Bake Off.
When is it on TV?
There's no official date on when The Great Christmas Bake Off special will air just yet. The 2023 version aired on Christmas Eve.
Who is on the New Year special of Bake Off?
Returning bakers from past series of Bake Off will appear, including Kevin, Norman, Nicky, James, Lea and Peter.
When is it on TV?
Again, there's no word on an air date just yet, but the 2023 episode aired on New Year's Day.
Who is hosting the shows?
Just like the normal series, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding will host the Christmas and New Year specials.
Who are the judges?
Usual judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood will judge the bakers.
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I'm A Celeb
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Gavin & Stacey
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Outnumbered
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Squid Game
Another roaring Netflix success, Squid Game had us all hooked when it was released in 2021. Breaking records and topping streaming charts, the show proved incredibly popular and after THAT ending, left us all wanting more.
Show creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has confirmed that season two is officially happening, and now the third and final season has been announced for 2025. In July 2024, Netflix bosses confirmed series two will land on 26th December 2024.
Missing You
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The Traitors
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The Night Agent
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Gladiators
Following the hugely successful first series, BBC bosses were quick to announce Gladiators had been commissioned for a second series! Although there's no official start date, filming took place in August, which also included a celebrity special!
Dancing On Ice
Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby are set to return in early 2025 for a brand new series of Dancing On Ice, with a whole new bunch of celebs signing up to take part in the show.
Stranger Things
Netflix bosses confirmed in January 2023 that the fifth and final series of Stranger Things had officially started production! Despite this, there's still no word yet on a release date.
Celebrity Big Brother
Following the first rebooted series in 2024, which welcomed celebs such as Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and David Potts, it was confirmed that Celebrity Big Brother will be returning for another season in 2025!
Hijack
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Unforgotten
Following the tense ending to series five in April 2023, ITV/STV bosses were quick to reveal drama series Unforgotten had been commissioned for a sixth series. Filming started in March 2024, so we imagine the new episodes could land later in the year.
Black Mirror
In March 2024, Netflix bosses revealed a seventh series of Black Mirror will land in 2025, with one of the episodes set to be a sequel to series four episode USS Callister. No official date has been announced just yet.
The Bay
ITV/STV drama The Bay was immediately renewed for a fifth series, following the fourth in 2023. Marsha Thomason is set to reprise her role as DS Jenn Townsend. Although there's no start date just yet, filming wrapped in July 2024.
Race Across The World
Series four of Race Across The World was one of the BBC's most popular shows of the year, and they were quick to renew the show for a fifth series. With applications closing in May this year, we suspect the show will air around Spring 2025.
Clarkson's Farm
Following three amazing series, Prime Video confirmed a fourth series was in the works in 2024, with it due to land in 2025. As if that wasn't enough, Jeremy has now confirmed series five is in production!
Love Is Blind: UK
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Red Eye
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Mrs Brown's Boys
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Emily In Paris
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Trigger Point
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Nobody Wants This
It was one of the most popular rom-coms of 2024, so it's no surprise Netflix bosses were quick to renew Nobody Wants This, starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell. Although there's no exact release date for series two just yet, we suspect it will be sometime in 2025.
Meanwhile, whilst we await the festive specials, series 15 of Bake Off continues every Tuesday night on Channel 4.
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