PICK OF TODAY’S TV

THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF, 8PM, CH4

WHO would have thought that a niche baking competition launched to little fanfare back in 2010 would have become Britain’s best-loved show? Only Paul Hollywood remains from that original series, but his fellow judge Prue Leith and hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding (pictured with Paul) look so at home now that it feels as if they have been there forever. As we return to the most famous tent in the country, the initial hurdle awaiting a new batch of 12 eager bakers is Cake Week and their first opportunity to impress the judges with their skills. In the Signature Challenge, they must produce 12 perfect mini cakes, for the Technical they have to create a striking sponge cake and finally, for the Showstopper, they must express their architectural skills as they make a scaled-down version of a home close to their hearts, entirely from sponge. Only one can be crowned star baker, and sadly, one will be going home. You can hear more from that unfortunate loser in Friday night’s companion show The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice (8pm), when hosts Jo Brand and Tom Allen are joined by celebrity fans Harry Hill, Melvin Odoom and Roisin Conaty to chew over all the talking points from the opening week.