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The Great British Bake Off 2026 tipped to have filmed Christmas special with returning winners

Past bakers are said to have headed back into the tent for a festive comeback.

Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding standing behind Paul Hollywood and Nigella Lawson in The Great British Bake Off tent.

Channel 4 / Patch Dolan

Published: Friday, 25 September 2026 at 10:17 am

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The Great British Bake Off is reportedly set to serve up a festive treat, with reports that a Christmas special has already been filmed featuring returning contestants from previous years, including former winners.

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According to The Sun, the seasonal instalment was shot with past bakers heading back into the tent, though there are no details on which former winners have potentially filmed the festive episode.

Radio Times has approached Channel 4 for comment.

The report comes as The Great British Bake Off made a return to screens earlier this week, introducing 12 new amateur bakers.

Nigella Lawson, Paul Hollywood, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding all stood next to each other laughing and smiling while holding different sized cakes.

Nigella Lawson, Paul Hollywood, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. Channel 4 / Patch Dolan

This year's line-up also brought a notable change behind the workbench. Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding continue as hosts, and Paul Hollywood remains as a judge, but Nigella Lawson has joined the panel in place of Prue Leith.

Celebrity and returning-baker specials have long been part of Bake Off's festive tradition, typically airing around Christmas and the new year, so a special stocked with familiar faces from the tent would follow the show's established seasonal pattern, thought Channel 4 is yet to officially confirm plans this year.

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The Great British Bake Off continues on Tuesday 29 September at 8pm on Channel 4.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Katelyn Mensah, smiling against a lime green background.

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.

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