The Great Celebrity Bake Off 2026: Line-up, favourite to win star baker and how to watch
This year’s The Great Celebrity Bake Off is just around the corner - here’s everything we know about the show and who is the current favourite to win star baker.
Stand mixers at the ready - it’s almost time for The Great Celebrity Bake Off 2026. The ninth series of the charity show will see some familiar faces returning to the tent and one in particular is already being tipped to win Star Baker.
Returning to Channel 4 this weekend, a brand-new guest judge is ready to dish out the verdicts. Featuring 24 famous faces, the series, hosted by Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding, will see judges Paul Hollywood and pastry expert Cherish Finden putting the celebs through their paces.
In each episode, the celebrity bakers will roll up their sleeves and take on the Signature, Technical and Showstopper challenges, all in the hope of impressing the judges and avoiding a soggy bottom. By the end of each show, only one star will rise above the rest and be crowned Star Baker.
The Great Celebrity Bake Off 2026 judges
Joining Paul Hollywood at the judging table is Bake Off: The Professionals judge, Cherish Finden, an internationally renowned pastry chef, celebrated for her exceptional technical skill and meticulous approach to patisserie. Together, Paul and Cherish will taste, test and judge the celebrities’ baking efforts in each of these special Stand Up To Cancer episodes.
Cherish Finden said, “I am delighted to be joining Paul in judging Celebrity Bake Off for SU2C. Stepping from the professional kitchen into the famous Bake Off tent felt like my first day of school – my heart was racing and I had butterflies in my tummy!
“Whilst I definitely haven’t left my ruler at home, judging these wonderful celebrities is about more than just precision, it’s about spreading joy and supporting a meaningful cause. To be part of SU2C and see the contestants push themselves out of their comfort zone for such a good cause was simply brilliant.”
Bake Off hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding also return, on hand to offer encouragement, laughter and a comforting shoulder as the celebrity bakers go head-to-head in the Bake Off tent.
The Great Celebrity Bake Off 2026 line-up
This year’s series is kicking off with a special episode which sees six comedians returning for a second stab at being crowned Star Baker. It will be something of a reunion for Rose Matafeo and Tom Davis, who were both beaten by Friends star David Schwimmer in the same episode in 2023.
They’re joined by their fellow class of 2023 graduate Judi Love, as well as Roisin Conaty and Jon Richardson. Rounding out the line-up is the man with arguably the most to lose, Joe Wilkinson, as he’s the only returning winner.
Other episodes in the line-up will feature some Bake Off novices. Over the next few weeks we’ll see pop star and dancer JoJo Siwa, media personality and entrepreneur Molly-Mae Hague, TV star Vicky Pattison, and BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast show host Scott Mills.
There’s also singer and songwriter Rag’n’Bone Man AKA Rory Graham, actor Emmett J Scanlan, singer, songwriter and DJ Aston Merrygold, broadcaster Edith Bowman, actor Ralf Little, and comedian and podcaster Richard Herring.
The line-up is completed by comedian Babatunde Aleshe, TV and radio host Mark Wright, YouTuber Nella Rose, Sugababe Mutya Buena, actor and former Strictly champion Rose Ayling-Ellis, TV personality Sam Thompson, The Last Leg’s Alex Brooker, and actress Ambika Mod.
The Great Celebrity Bake Off Odds: Joe Wilkinson favourite to be Star Baker
Destined to get off to a funny start, the six comedians will compete to land the first Star Baker title of the series. Entertainment expert at gambling.com, James Leyfield has predicted who will be Episode 1 Star Baker.
Joe Wilkinson will re-enter the tent as the 11/10 favourite on betting apps for Bake Off glory, after he achieved Star Baker status last time out. Joe's biggest competition this time around could be fellow comedian Tom Davis, who is 6/4 second favourite to be Star Baker on Sunday.
Roisin - who is 13/8 to be Star Baker on Sunday - ultimately lost out to fellow comedian Harry Hill. Judi Love is propping up this Sunday's Celebrity Bake Off market at 5/2, after she lost her head during her previous Bake Off stint, and accidentally sprayed Paul with cream.
The Great Celebrity Bake Off - how to watch
Series nine of The Great Celebrity Bake Off is scheduled to feature six episodes which kick off on Sunday (March 22) on Channel 4 at 7.40pm.