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Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatori Mandator Mandator Mandator Mandator Mandator Mandator Mandator Mandator Mandator Mandator Mandator Mandator Mandator Mandator Mandator The Great British Bake Off is set to return to Channel 4 this autumn, with a brand‑new series that will bring fresh faces, fan‑favourite contestants, and a new host to the show's beloved format. The 17th series, slated to air from September 22, will feature 12 amateur bakers competing for the prestigious prize. Among the lineup is a self‑identified drag king who brings a unique flair and the support of not one but two partners, along with a Portuguese marketing graduate who has brought her own flair for colourful, chaotic designs to the British kitchen. The show's long‑time culinary mentor, Paul Hollywood, continues to bookend the competition alongside the newly appointed host, Nigella Lawson. Nigella, who replaced the legendary Prue Leith after nine years steering the show's white‑marque aesthetic, brings a fresh dynamism to the big tent. Her opening information messages hint at a collaborative partnership with Hollywood that promises to elevate both the technical challenges and the creative "showstopper" rounds to new heights. Nigel's reception of the show has already been praised for her "truly wonderful" approach, a comment echoed by the contestants, who applaud her genuine desire to help contestants bring the best out of each bake. As credits roll on the finale, viewers will also be introduced to a brand‑new spin‑off, Second Helpings, which will take the place of Extra Slice and promises an in‑depth behind‑the‑scenes look at the baking process. Meanwhile, a host swap for the main show saw the departure of Jo Brand and Tom Allen and the arrival of Judi Love and Jon Richardson. The transition is expected to offer a lighter tone, playing to the comedic strengths of the new presenters. The season's short‑listed bakers have a varied array of backgrounds. Clara, a 24‑year‑old marketing graduate from Aveiro in Portugal, moved to the United Kingdom at 18 and has been baking for two years as a creative outlet. She specialises in Portuguese classics such as Tarte de Nata, a dish she has adapted for her British fiancé's family. Her approach to baking is driven by the notion that "the first bite of a bake is always with the eye," and she brings a vibrant, colourful aesthetic to every tray. Connie, a 63‑year‑old NHS hospital discharge lead nicknamed the "cake lady," has a deep love for hearty carrot cake with rum fruit, lemon and lavender flavours. After being initially placed on the standby list, a late invitation secured her spot in the 12‑strong field, a surprise that Mirin (her co‑owner of a London music centre) now celebrates with a series of bright glaze‑decorated cupcakes. Danni, a 25‑year‑old Dorset native, forages in the countryside and finds inspiration in wild ingredients such as magnolia, chestnut and dandelion, pairing them with unconventional flavours like ube and red bean paste. Their day job as a HGV service centre administrator offers stability while Danni's hobby of anime doodling and old computing repairs provide the creative spare time to innovate in the kitchen. Gabe, a 32‑year‑old "daddy of Birmingham drag," first discovered baking at age 13 watching the inaugural GBBO episode. Their style is described as "gorgeous but very homemade," with a predilection for savoury, meat‑filled bakes and a fascination with meringue. Gabe's drag persona, Blü Romantic, complements their baking career, as they "produce theatre shows for their day job" while bringing storytelling to the oven. The new season promises to deliver high‑stakes technical challenges, heart‑warming stories, and an unexpected blend of culinary expertise and drag culture. Audiences can expect the familiar Beekeepers' tricks and the ever‑present "not so butter" massaging secrets from humble kitchens across the country, which are now showcased to a national audience once again. As Nigel-sorry, Nigella-makes her way through the tent, her politeness and approachable wisdom light up the atmosphere, making each contestant feel like a star in their own right. The listening mandala will not just focus on mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory obligatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory