As Series Nine of the Great British Bake Off gets under way on Tuesday 28th August 2018 at 8pm on Channel 4, each week, Northern Slant are preparing to bring you the latest run down of Britain’s most loved baking show by self-confessed GBBO addict Jayne McGlaughlin. 

It’s that time of year again. The summer is drawing to a close and all of a sudden the darker evenings start to make a night in seem more appealing than a night out. Well, fear not. Channel 4 has got you covered – every Tuesday between 8pm and 9.15pm at least. For the next 10 weeks, you can sit back and relax while other people sweat over caramel and panic about ganache. That’s right, the Great British Bake Off is back.

I have to admit, as a self-proclaimed Mary Berry fan, I was more than a little dubious when the Bake Off made the jump to Channel 4 last year without the Queen of Home Baking. The news that one of the new hosts, Sandi Toksvig, had never watched an episode of the show either, compared to the wonderful presenting duo of Mel and Sue that we were used to, made me even more hesitant. I have loved the Bake Off since it started in 2010 and have been known to spend evenings re-watching episodes on Netflix. (It’s fine when you can admit it’s a little sad, right?) But, as soon as the oh so recognisable tense music started to play as people rushed to finish their showstoppers on the first episode last year, I felt right at home.

There is something so wholesome and fun about the Bake Off, with people of all ages tuning in and sparking conversations about baking in workplaces and friendship groups. It is just so enjoyable to watch 12 amateur home bakers feeling brave enough to push themselves and showcase their talents. From those who have been baking for years, to those who are relatively new to the world of baking, everyone has skills to be envious of.

We are always guaranteed to spend the first few weeks deciding who to root for and all of a sudden, become armchair judges and experts. I often find myself saying things like ‘there are just simply not enough layers in that pastry for it be flaky when it comes out of the oven,’ despite my inability to put my money (or my baking ability) where my mouth is. I also have to admit that one of the best bits is when things start to go a little wrong. Will any Bake Off fan ever forget #bingate when Diana left Iain’s ice cream for his baked alaska out of the freezer, causing it to melt, Iain going into a fit of rage, throwing it in the bin and storming off? The memes that followed were genuinely something else.

So what can we expect from the Great British Bake Off 2018?

As always, the 12 contestants come from a range of backgrounds, ages and experiences – including Imelda McCarron from our very own Co Tyrone, a DJ, a blood courier and a banker, to name a few. It’s difficult to imagine what brand new challenges could be in store for the bakers but rest assured, there will always be bakes you’ve never heard of. I always end up googling them and convincing myself that I am going to try them one day, but that day is yet to come. It’s already been revealed that there will be a vegan themed week, as well as a Danish themed week, apparently chosen by Sandi who is from Denmark. However, I am mostly just hoping that Prue won’t tweet who the winner is before the final, but you never know what the next 10 weeks will bring.

Let the baking commence.