The wait is over! The nation’s most beloved baking competition returns to Channel 4, welcoming twelve new amateur bakers to the hallowed grounds of the iconic white tent. Under the warm gaze of the infamous Paul Hollywood and the discerning palate of Dame Prue Leith, these hopefuls will embark on a culinary journey like no other. Each week, they will face the ultimate test of skill, creativity, and composure through three grueling challenges: the Signature Bake, designed to showcase their personal style; the Technical Bake, a ruthless test of precision following a cryptic recipe; and the Showstopper, a grand finale demanding ambition, flavor, and flawless presentation.

Guiding them through the flour-dusted highs and soggy-bottomed lows are the inimitable hosting duo, Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond. With Noel’s surreal wit and Alison’s boundless warmth and humor, the tent is filled with laughter and support, providing a crucial comfort amidst the intense pressure. From heartwarming successes to hilarious baking disasters, Bake Off Season 16 promises to deliver all the signature ingredients that have made it a global phenomenon: incredible bakes, nail-biting drama, and the most wholesome television on air.

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Meet the Hosts and Judges of Bake Off Season 16

1- Noel Fielding as Self – Presenter

Noel Fielding returns with his uniquely surreal and whimsical charm, continuing his role as the tent’s beloved eccentric uncle. Fielding’s off-the-wall humor and artistic flair provide a delightful counterbalance to the high-stakes tension of the competition, often diffusing panic with a perfectly timed absurdist joke or a bizarre anecdote. His genuine care for the bakers is evident in his quiet moments of encouragement, offering a comforting presence during their most stressful hours.

Beyond the jokes, Fielding has become an integral part of the Bake Off fabric, known for his flamboyant wardrobe and his ability to connect with each contestant on their level. Whether he’s admiring a baker’s intricate piping or consoling them after a collapsed soufflé, his quirky support system is a cornerstone of the show’s heartwarming atmosphere. He is the magical glue that helps hold the tent together.

2- Alison Hammond as Self – Presenter

Alison Hammond brings her infectious joy, booming laugh, and unparalleled talent for finding fun in any situation back to the tent for her second season. Hammond’s presence is a ray of sunshine, instantly lifting spirits with her genuine enthusiasm for every bake, no matter the outcome. Her warm, maternal hugs and loud exclamations of “Oh my days!” have quickly become iconic, making her the emotional anchor for the bakers.

Hammond’s relatable humor and effortless ability to get everyone laughing, including a often-stoic Paul Hollywood, make her the perfect co-host alongside Noel. She represents the audience’s awe and excitement, and her interviews are filled with such unbridled joy that they make even the simplest Victoria sponge seem like a work of art. She is, quite simply, the show’s biggest fan.

3- Paul Hollywood as Self – Judge

The formidable Paul Hollywood resumes his role as the master baker and stern arbiter of bread and pastry, his steely blue eyes and firm handshake as intimidating as ever. Hollywood’s reputation for brutal honesty and his pursuit of baking perfection set the standard in the tent, and his coveted “Hollywood Handshake” remains the highest accolade a baker can receive. His technical expertise and no-nonsense feedback are crucial in separating the good from the great.

Yet, after sixteen seasons, glimpses of a softer Paul continue to emerge. A truly exceptional bake can break his stern facade into a rare, beaming smile, and his respect for the bakers’ dedication is always evident. He is the guardian of baking tradition and technique, a living legend whose approval every contestant desperately seeks.

4- Prue Leith as Self – Judge

Dame Prue Leith brings her vast culinary knowledge, elegant sophistication, and wonderfully sharp wit to the judging table once again. Prue’s focus on flavor, innovation, and bold combinations encourages the bakers to be creative and take risks. Her feedback is always insightful and constructively delivered, often with a twinkle in her eye, especially when a baker has incorporated a cheeky dash of alcohol into their recipe.

Prue’s playful rivalry with Paul and her hilarious, often deadpan, one-liners provide some of the tent’s best moments. She is the epitome of grace and wisdom, offering a different but equally vital perspective to the judging process. Her extravagant, colorful brooches and genuine delight in a successful bake make her a cherished and respected figure.

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Meet the Bakers of Bake Off Season 16

– Aaron Mountford-Myles (38, Stoke-on-Trent) – Senior Systems Architect

Aaron brings the precision and problem-solving skills of his day job as a Senior Systems Architect into the tent. He approaches baking like a complex code, meticulously planning every step and variable to ensure a logically perfect result. Aaron is calm under pressure and thrives on the technical challenges, though his fellow bakers might gently tease him for treating his sourdough starter like a mission-critical project.

Beyond his analytical exterior lies a warm, dry wit and a deep passion for the science of baking. Aaron specializes in intricate pastry work and bread, believing that if you can understand the architecture of a bake, you can master it. He’s the quiet dark horse of the competition, whose methodical approach could very well see him system-architect his way to the final.

– Hassan (30, Doncaster) – Analytical Research & Development Scientist

Hassan is a literal laboratory scientist, and he sees the bake-off tent as the most delicious lab of all. As an Analytical R&D Scientist, he is fascinated by the chemical reactions that create the perfect crumb or the ideal rise. Hassan is constantly experimenting with flavors and techniques, using his scientific knowledge to push the boundaries of baking, often with spectacularly innovative or disastrously volatile results.

His cheerful and inquisitive nature makes him a popular figure in the tent. Hassan loves to explain the ‘why’ behind a baking process to anyone who will listen, becoming the competition’s unofficial food science commentator. He’s competing to prove that precision and creativity are not opposites, but the essential ingredients for a true showstopper.

– Iain Ross (29, Belfast) – Software Engineer

Iain is a Software Engineer who finds a peaceful escape from his digital world in the tactile, floury art of baking. He is a methodical and patient baker, treating each recipe like a complex algorithm that needs to be debugged and perfected. Iain is known for his incredibly neat and precise piping, creating bakes that look almost digitally designed.

Hailing from Belfast, Iain is proud to bring a taste of Northern Ireland to the tent, often incorporating Irish ingredients and traditions into his bakes. He is softly spoken and incredibly supportive of the other bakers, but don’t be fooled by his gentle demeanor—his quiet determination and flawless execution make him a fierce competitor.

– Jasmine Mitchell (23, London) – Medical Student

Jasmine is a Medical Student who uses baking as a vital stress reliever from the intense pressures of her studies. Her baking style is impressively disciplined and efficient—she’s used to working long hours under high pressure and can diagnose a sinking cake with the same calm focus she’d use on a patient. Jasmine is the youngest baker in the tent, but her maturity and focus belie her age.

She specializes in elegantly decorated bakes that are as precise and neat as her future surgeon’s hands. Jasmine sees parallels between medicine and baking: both require practice, precision, and a deep understanding of how different elements interact. Her journey is one of balancing two high-stakes passions.

– Jessika Trassel (32, London) – Service Designer

Jessika, a Service Designer, approaches baking with a user-centric philosophy. She is all about creating a complete sensory experience, ensuring her bakes are not only delicious but also tell a story and evoke an emotion. Jessika is a fantastic collaborator and natural empath, often seen checking in on her fellow bakers and offering a word of support.

Her designs are creative, modern, and often deeply personal, reflecting her travels and experiences. Jessika is a master of flavor pairing and aesthetic presentation, viewing the plate as her canvas. She’s in the tent to prove that design thinking can create the most memorable and delightful bakes of all.

– Leighton Morgan (59, Surrey) – Software Delivery Manager

Leighton is a veteran Software Delivery Manager who brings a calm, managerial approach to the chaos of the tent. He is the father figure of the group, a natural leader who remains unflappably organized even when his custard is curdling. Leighton’s strength is in his project management skills; he can break down a complex showstopper into manageable tasks and deliver it on time.

After years of managing teams, Leighton is now fulfilling a lifelong dream to focus on his passion for baking. He specializes in classic, well-executed bakes with a modern twist, earning respect from Paul for his technical proficiency. His journey is about applying a lifetime of logistical skills to a whole new kind of delivery.

– Lesley Holloway (59, Kent) – Hairdresser

Lesley is a Hairdresser with a salon owner’s flair for the dramatic and a keen eye for detail. She treats her bakes like her clients, giving them meticulous attention and styling them to perfection. Lesley is bubbly, outgoing, and the tent’s chief gossip, always ready with a funny story or a word of encouragement delivered in her strong Kent accent.

Her baking style is bold, colorful, and unapologetically retro, often drawing inspiration from the 60s and 70s. Lesley is a queen of decoration, using techniques like intricate sugar work and delicate piping to create truly stunning visual effects. She’s here to show that creativity and style aren’t limited by age.

– Nadia Mercuri (41, Liverpool) – Hairdresser

Nadia, a Hairdresser from Liverpool, is a whirlwind of Scouse charm, high energy, and incredible talent. She approaches baking with the same creativity and precision she uses to create a perfect balayage, seeing the potential for beauty in every ingredient. Nadia is fiercely competitive but has a heart of gold, and her loud, infectious laughter is a constant feature in the tent.

She specializes in bold, Italian-inspired flavors (honoring her heritage) and dramatic, structurally daring showstoppers. Nadia’s bakes are as vibrant and full of life as she is. She’s competing to make her family proud and to prove that hairdressers have the steadiest hands and best eye for design in the business.

– Nataliia Richardson (32, East Yorkshire) – Office Assistant

Nataliia brings the quiet efficiency and organizational skills of an Office Assistant to her baking. She is the tent’s unsung hero, incredibly kind and always helping others find a lost utensil or clean up a spill. Nataliia’s baking is a heartfelt connection to her Ukrainian heritage, and she often incorporates traditional flavors and techniques into her challenges.

Her story is one of resilience and finding comfort in a new home through baking. Nataliia’s bakes are made with immense love and care, and while she may doubt herself, her flavors are consistently praised by the judges for their depth and authenticity. She is the dark horse who could quietly bake her way to the top.

– Pui Man “Jennifer” (51, Essex) – Bridal Designer

Jennifer is a Bridal Designer, and it shows in every exquisite, finely detailed bake she creates. She approaches her showstoppers like a wedding gown, focusing on elegance, structure, and breathtaking beauty. Jennifer is calm, graceful, and possesses an immense patience for the finicky details that would make others crumble.

Her flavor profiles are refined and sophisticated, often drawing from her Chinese background to create stunning fusion bakes. Jennifer is a master of sugar craft and delicate chocolate work, creating decorations that are true works of art. She is in the tent to translate her design genius from fabric to flour.

– Toby Littlewood (29, Warwickshire) – Business Development Executive

Toby, a Business Development Executive, is a charismatic and ambitious baker who sees every challenge as a pitch to win over the judges. He is confident, charming, and a natural networker, quickly becoming friends with everyone in the tent. Toby’s strategy is all about impact and presentation, creating bakes that are designed to be memorable.

He specializes in modern, Instagram-worthy desserts with clever flavor combinations. While sometimes his ambition outweighs his execution, his bold ideas and positive attitude make him a standout competitor. Toby is baking to win, but he’s also there to enjoy every single moment of the experience.

– Tom (31, London) – Creative Entrepreneur

Tom, a Creative Entrepreneur, is a big-ideas man who lives for innovation. He is constantly trying to deconstruct classic bakes and reinvent them in exciting new ways, often using unexpected ingredients or techniques from other culinary traditions. Tom is energetic, talkative, and a born storyteller, with every bake having a elaborate concept behind it.

His energy is infectious, though his high-risk strategies often lead to either spectacular triumph or catastrophic failure—there is no middle ground. Tom is in the tent to challenge the very definition of baking and to push Paul and Prue’s palates into entirely new territories. He is the ultimate wild card.

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Why This Season Will Be Unforgettable

• Incredibly Diverse Bakers: From scientists to designers, this group brings a unique set of skills to the tent.

• The Perfect Hosting Duo: Noel and Alison’s chemistry is better than ever.

• Judging Excellence: Paul and Prue are on top form, offering sharp wit and expert advice.

• The Bakes: Get ready for a series of stunning, innovative, and delicious creations.

Get Ready to Bake!

The Great British Bake Off Season 16 premieres Tuesday, September 2, 2025, on Channel 4. Prepare for a new series of soggy bottoms, firm handshakes, and glorious baking.