'GBBO' Shares A Preview Of Tonight's Cake Challenge And It's Absolute Mayhem In The Tent

The Great British Bake Off fans... today is the day! And we've finally been blessed with a sneak peek of the first challenge of the series:

The nation's most popular baking show is returning to Channel 4 this evening, with a whole bunch of new faces set to arrive in the infamous tent in the hopes of impressing Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.

And while it's fair to say we didn't think we could be any more excited, the show has now revealed the theme of the first challenge.

In a promo snap, Paul, Prue and hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig are dressed as characters from The Wizard Of Oz, with stone cold Paul naturally taking on the role of the tin-man, Sandi the scarecrow, Prue the Lion and Noel dressed as Dorothy.

"Cake Week. Tonight. 8pm. @Channel4. #GBBO," bosses wrote alongside the image.

Eeeek. What a way to kick off the series.

The official page proceeded to share a mini trailer, in which the new bakers could be seen frantically working away to impress the judges.

Channel 4

The contestants - who are the youngest cohort ever to grace the tent - look nervous as they step inside, and while some excel in the kitchen others crumble under the pressure.

"You look a little bit nervous," Prue is seen saying to one contestant, while she later tells one person their bake is "pretty awful" during the technical challenge. Ouch!

Unsurprisingly, Paul's tough exterior also doesn't look like it's cracked since last season either, as he's filmed looking seriously unimpressed with one person's creation.

Channel 4

Of course, Noel and Sandi are on hand to offer comic relief too, with Sandi yelling at one point: "Just throw food colouring at it!," in a moment that surely won't have comforted any of the frazzled bakers.

Eldest contestant Phil, 56 - an HGV driver from Essex - can be seen yelling: "Don't panic!," from his station while working away, while 28-year-old Chester shop assistant Steph aptly describes the rush of the tent as "mayhem".

Tune in to Channel 4 tonight at 8pm to see all the drama unfold.

Topics: TV and Film, Bake Off, GBBO, Great British Bake Off

Joanna Freedman

Joanna is a journalist at Pretty 52 who loves writing about all things food, fashion, beauty and lifestyle. She also has a particular interest in women's issues.

@joannafreedman