Christmas Bake Off line-up: Which bakers are taking part?

Great British Bake Off fans who are feeling the loss of their regular Tuesday night date with the tent won't have long to wait for a return visit, as the show has unveiled its festive special line-ups.

The Channel 4 favourite is set to return for a Christmas episode on Christmas Eve and a New Year special on New Year's Day, welcoming back some popular former contestants.

But who will be back in the tent for the festive season?

Christmas Bake Off - Christmas Eve, 8.15pm

Announcing the Christmas special, Bake Off posted on X: "We wish you a Bakey Christmas! Join us for a pre-Santa trip into the Tent on Christmas Eve as George, Sophie, Dan, Amelia, Linda and Carole return for some festive fun! The Great Christmas Bake Off. 24th Dec. 8.15pm. Channel 4."

One excited fan commented: "YESS, @DBeasleyHarling and Compost Carole, the match up of my dreams!!"

George Aristidou

George might have only made it to midway through the 2021 series, but viewers loved him and will be delighted to see him back.

He bowed out after hitting a sticky spot in a caramel challenge - how have his skills been refined since then?

Sophie Faldo

She was the 2017 series winner, the first at the show's new home of Channel 4, but Sophie's series will be best remembered for a blunder by new judge Prue Leith.

Leith was on holiday on the day the pre-recorded final aired, and thanks to a 12-hour time difference she managed to tweet the result ahead of it being officially announced. Let's hope for no Christmas Eve spoilers...

Amelia Le Bruin

We didn't get to see nearly enough of Amelia first time round, as she left the 2019 series just three episodes in during bread week.

Amelia has continued her love of baking - can she win this time around?

Dan Beasley-Harling

Dan had some promising early rounds in the 2018 contest, but unfortunately fell foul of pastry week.

The stay-at-home dad has developed a successful career in baking since then, so we can't wait to see his festive creations.

Linda Rayfield

Linda brought viewers to tears when she dedicated one of her cakes during the show to her late daughter.

Although the baker left five episodes into the 2020 series, she was a favourite with fans.

Carole Edwards

Known as Compost Carole thanks to her local radio gardening show, Carole was a hit with 2022 viewers.

After a few weeks struggling on low scores, she left fifth in dessert week which saw her defeated by steamed puddings and lemon meringue pies.

New Year Bake Off - New Year's Day, 7.40pm

There's also a January 2024 instalment to come, as Bake Off announced on X: "Start the New Year with a banging Bake Off! Join Mark, Maxy, Maggie and Jürgen as they provide the best possible NYE hangover cure by treating you to an epic baking battle in the Tent! The Great New Year’s Bake Off. 1st Jan. 7.40pm. Channel 4."

Fans were delighted, as one person commented: "Yay! What a lovely line up."

Jürgen proved a popular addition as one person wrote: "OMG so happy that Jürgen is back!" and someone else added: "Jürgen is the man! I’m definitely tuning in."

Mark Lutton

Northern Irish baker Mark just beat his 2020 co-star Linda (appearing in the Christmas special) by being voted out sixth.

How far will he get in the 2024 episode?

Maxy Maligisa

Swedish baker Maxy looked like a series favourite to win in the early weeks, so it was a shock when she was eliminated eighth in pastry week.

It also meant that she missed out on a Swedish round for one of the week nine challenges - what will she impress with at New Year?

Maggie Richardson

Retired nurse Maggie was gone far too soon from the 2021 series, being voted out fourth in dessert week.

Her Paris skyline joconde sponge proved her undoing, but we're sure that Maggie has continued to hone her impressive skills over the past couple of years.

Jürgen Krauss

Physicist and music enthusiast Jürgen was one of the show's most memorable contestants for his pragmatic, science-driven approach to the challenges and his friendship with winner Giuseppe Dell'Anno.

Fans were devastated when he just missed out on the final, so it's a delight to see him back in the tent for New Year.

The Great British Bake Off will return to Channel 4 for festive specials on Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.