The Great British Bake Off 2016: Everything you need to know, from the start time to the challenges
After Nadiya Hussain baked her way to the GBBO crown last year, cake-crazy fans of the show will be more than ready to help themselves to another slice of the Bake Off action
THE Great British Bake Off has been charming the nation for years, and baking enthusiasts will be delighted to learn that the next series is ready to be served up.
But, before you're ready to be whisked into a world of soggy bottoms and feel-good antics, make sure you've brushed up on what to expect from this year's run of the much-loved series.
Will there be another Dirty Diana incident, or will the show's seventh series be as smooth as butter icing for the new batch of eager competitors? Only time will tell.
When does it start?
Bake Off is set to return to our screens tonight at 8pm, meaning fans of the series don't have to wait any longer before they can fill up on GBBO goodnesss.
The show is expected to run on BBC1 for 10 weeks, and will be shown on Wednesday evenings, like the last series.
Last year, spin-off series An Extra Slice aired on Fridays, serving to satisfy fans who were hungry for more after the main show had finished.
But this year, the icing on the cake for insatiable fans came after BBC bosses confirmed that there will also be two Christmas specials for baking buffs to look forward to.
These specials are set to feature favourite contestants from the show's history, who will be returning to bake head-to-head in an all-star showdown.
Who are the presenters?
Once again, comedy duo Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc will be presenting the feel-good show, bringing their innuendo-laden humour back to the Bake Off tent.
The hilarious pair are also set to front the Christmas specials this year as well, a move which will tantalise fans even further.
Who will be judging?
As per usual, bakers will be subjected to Paul Hollywood's steely glare, as he and co-judge Mary Berry sample the contestants efforts.
Although the sweet-toothed critics say it's difficult not to give in to temptations whilst on set, after the Sun revealed that Paul has a strictly cake-free diet whilst he's not on screen.
Who will the contestants be?
The series features 12 amateur bakers fighting it out for the Bake Off crown and the contestants' identities have already been revealed.
This year, they range from a secondary school teacher to a nurse and fitness fanatic - but who will rise to the challenge and who will crumble?
Where is it filmed?
The famous Bake Off tent sits in the grounds of Welford Park, near Newbury in Berkshire, where the iconic marquee is set up for ten weeks.
Filming started in April, with one episode filmed every weekend, when contestants stay in a nearby hotel before returning to their normal lives on weekdays.
What will the challenges be like?
Although nobody can predict this season's challenges with certainty, it's fair to assume that the show will continue to follow its winning format.
Bake Off typically sees contestants take on three challenges per episode - a personalised signature bake, a tricky technical bake and a stunning showstopper bake where competitors pull out all the stops to wow the judges.
If this format continues this year, we can expect harder technical bakes than ever and more ambitious efforts from the competitors, who will be keen to make this series the best yet.
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