Great British Bake Off: 2020 contestants revealed

The Great British Bake Off 2020 contestants Image copyright Channel 4

A Samaritan, a student and a pantomime producer are just three of the contestants hoping to win this year's Great British Bake Off.

The show will return to Channel 4 on 22 September after filming was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

This year's line-up consists of 12 contestants - one fewer than the baker's dozen who competed last year.

Matt Lucas will replace Sandi Toksvig as host, joining the returning Noel Fielding.

Image copyright C4/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon
Image caption (Left to right) Paul Hollywood, Matt Lucas, Prue Leith and Noel Fielding

Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith will be on hand to judge the best bakes in the famous white tent.

The bakers were selected by April, but coronavirus restrictions meant the filming schedule had to be rewritten, and the series will reach screens a month later than usual.

The show is normally filmed over three months, largely at weekends. However, this year the producers asked the contestants to take six weeks off work and stay in a secure filming location.

"Everything was complicated, everything was different, but everybody wanted to do it," executive producer Kieran Smith told the Radio Times.

Down Hall Hotel in Essex was chosen as the show's new base, housing the production team, bakers, hosts, judges, hotel staff and cleaners all together, with extra temporary accommodation set up in the car park.

Meet the contestants

Image copyright Channel 4
Image caption Left-right: Dave, Hermine, Laura and Linda
Image copyright Channel 4
Image caption Left-right: Loriea, Lottie, Makbul and Marc
Image copyright Channel 4
Image caption Left-right: Mark, Peter, Rowan and Sura

The show's spin-off, The Great British Bake Off: an Extra Slice - presented by Jo Brand - begins on channel 4 on Friday 18 September.

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