What’s a better way to end the Christmas season than with a New Year’s episode of everyone’s favorite TV shows?
Get ready to ring in 2026 with The Great New Year Bake Off! Two special episodes will air on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, featuring delicious treats to celebrate the new year.
Like every year, this special episode brings back former Bake Off contestants to bake for Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, who will judge their creations.
Featuring two past winners and many beloved contestants, this season boasts an incredible lineup. The competition is set to be tough as everyone strives to become Star Baker.
Wondering who will be competing on The Great New Year’s Bake Off in 2026? Here’s everything you need to know about the contestants!
Great New Year’s Bake Off 2026 line-up
- Andy
- Nelly
- Val
- Selasi
- Briony
- Tasha
- Giuseppe
- Rahul
Here’s a complete guide to the bakers competing on The Great New Year’s Bake Off 2026.
Andy
Instagram: @bighandypandy
Original season: Season 15 (2024)
A mechanic by trade, Andy Ryan, from Essex, first took part in Bake Off last year in 2024.
Honestly, he was instantly lovable – such a funny guy! Everyone really took to him. It was a real shame when he had to leave the competition during Pastry Week. His Show Stopper just didn’t hold up; the toffee base completely cracked, and that was that. So disappointing to see him go!
Andy shared his excitement about returning to the show on Instagram, saying he was thrilled to be back with the “legends” and feels very fortunate.
Nelly
Instagram: @nellyghaffar
Original season: Season 15 (2024)
I remember Nelly Ghaffer from last year’s season – she was a really lovely presence. She competed alongside Andy, but unfortunately, she was eliminated during Autumn Week and finished sixth. It’s always sad to see talented bakers go home, and I was rooting for her!
Val
Instagram: @valcake.walks
Original season: Season 7 (2016)
Val Stones appeared on The Great British Bake Off back in 2016. Her season was the last one shown on BBC One before the show switched to Channel 4.
The former headteacher departed the show in Week 5, but first established herself as a talented baker – a ‘Cake Whisperer,’ as she called it. She told the judges she could tell her cakes were done because they seemed to ‘sing’ to her.
Val shared on Instagram that she enjoyed being on the show and is excited to see how the festive special turns out.
Selasi
Instagram: @selasigb
Original season: Season 7 (2016)
Selasi Gbormittah, who was originally on Bake Off in 2016, is returning to the show for a New Year’s special. He’s ready to bake again!
Selasi was a relaxed and talented baker who notably won the first Technical Challenge of the season. He reached the semi-finals, but unfortunately, his pastries didn’t quite meet the judges’ expectations during Patisserie Week, preventing him from advancing to the final.
He shared his excitement about returning to the tent, writing on Instagram that it felt good to be back in a familiar and special place.
Briony
Instagram: @brionymaybakes
Original season: Season 9 (2018)
Briony May Williams finished fourth on her season of The Great British Bake Off in 2018. The next year, she won the show’s Christmas special.
She’s been back to the tent three times now, and shared on Instagram how much she loves being there with everyone. She called the group “such an awesome group of humans!” and said it felt like a dream.
Tasha
Instagram: @tasha_f_stones
Original season: Season 14 (2023)
Tasha Stones competed on Season 14 of The Great British Bake Off, making history as the show’s first deaf contestant. She quickly won over the judges and reached the semi-finals. Unfortunately, she was eliminated during Patisserie Week due to a poorly presented Show Stopper and a curd that wasn’t smooth.
The baker shared on Instagram that she hopes to spend every New Year’s Eve just like the one she recently experienced.
Giuseppe
Instagram: @giuseppecooks
Original season: Season 12 (2021)
Giuseppe Dell’Anno, an Italian baker, quickly became a popular contestant on Season 12. He ultimately won the show in 2021, though he faced strong competition from Jürgen throughout the season.
Rahul
Instagram: @bakewithrahul
Original season: Season 9 (2018)
Rahul Mandal first won the Great British Bake Off in 2018, and then again in a New Year’s special in 2021. He’s returning to the show for a third time, and this will be his second holiday special.
I was thrilled to return to the Great British Bake Off tent with my friend Giuseppe for the New Year’s special! It was a real honor to be there, and I’m so happy I could be part of it, he shared on Instagram.
Tune in to Channel 4 to watch The Great New Year’s Bake Off 2026! It will be shown on Wednesday, December 31st at 9:00 PM, and again on Thursday, January 1st at 7:40 PM.
Authors
Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a freelance writer specializing in pop culture and entertainment for TopMob. Before that, she was a Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab, where she led their local team. She holds a BA (Hons) degree in English Literature from the University of Nottingham.
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2026-01-01 12:38