It's a baker's dozen as The Great British Bake Off returns to our screens

For the first time ever, the tent welcomes a baker’s dozen to do baking battle. Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins coax them through their baking trials, all the while under the scrutiny of the judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood. But with 13 bakers, at any time Mary and Paul may decide to lose not one but two bakers. This year, nobody is safe.

BBC TWO's hugely popular show The Great British Bake Off returns to our screens for a new ten-week run on Tuesday 20 August at 8pm.

The judges have set the Signature Challenges as true home baker staples, so that they can immediately see the bakers’ personalities and their range of skills and ideas, setting them apart from each other. The first challenge? A sandwich cake. Simple. But with such a challenge comes a risk. Do the bakers go for the classic or push the boat out and be experimental? Do they make something tried and tested or go for ambitious flavours and ideas? What will impress and what will miss the mark?

Mary’s first Technical is for Angel Food Cake, which is not the bakers’ idea of heaven as they attempt to follow the bare bones of the recipe, proving to be a recipe for disaster for some. The Showstopper explores all things chocolate, and is their final chance to secure their place in the Bake Off and save them from being the first to leave the tent.

With a range of baking styles and personalities, the Bake Off tent is packed with the best amateur bakers from around the country; from space engineer to student, teacher to dentist, psychologist to carpenter. But after 10 weeks of whisking, crimping and piping, only one can emerge victorious. On your marks... get set... BAKE!

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