Throughout its various iterations, one thing remains true: The Greatest British Bake Off wouldn't work without the judges or the two hosts who wander around the tent making a nuisance of themselves.
Aside from all the delicious cakes, breads, pastries (and, rather controversially, the odd taco) at the heart of the show, the judges and presenters are there to provide a sense of order – and also a sense of continuity for the legions of loyal fans Bake Off has acquired since it started in 2010.
Who else would break the bakers' hearts and tell them their showstoppers were a little too dry? Or gently point out that they'd forgotten to add an essential ingredient? It's all thanks to Noel Fielding, Alison Hammond, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood. Now that the 15th season is in full swing on Channel 4, here's a run down of Bake Off's judges and presenters from past and present...
The Great British Bake Off presenters
Noel Fielding
Noel Fielding is currently the show's longest-standing presenter, having hosted first with Sandy Toksvig when the show moved from BBC to Channel 4 in 2016, then with comedian Matt Lucas and now with ITV presenter, Alison Hammond. He is currently on his seventh season, meaning he has tied with the show's original hosting duo Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins who hosted the first seven.
Noel brings a touch of the awkward and the unpredictable to the show, keeping bakers on their toes with his off-hand quips and questionable tips. He also, it must be said, brings an essential burst of colour to the baking show with his endless collection of bright and bold outfits.
Alison Hammond
Alison Hammond is Bake Off's newest recruit, having joined the show in 2023. She's back for her second series and she's taken to the role like a duck to water. Or a cherry on top of a cake. Adored by fans for her affable nature and her booming laugh, she's a welcome addition to the tent and always manages to make the bakers feel at ease.
She was familiar with the show before she was brought on as a presenter, however, having done a stint on The Great Celebrity Bake Off: Stand Up To Cancer in 2020. Luckily she's a better host than she is a patissier.
The Great British Bake Off judges
Paul Hollywood
The last man standing from the show's original line-up is, of course, Paul Hollywood. A chef (bread expert) in his own right, being cast as a judge on The Great British Bake Off in 2010 propelled Paul to fame – and made him synonymous with the phrase 'silver fox'.
Without his piercing blue eyes, harsh criticism and slightly flirtatious energy, the bakers might not be as nervous. And let's be honest, the sheer panic week after week really adds to the entertainment value.
Prue Leith
By Paul's side is none other that Prue Leith, a South African restaurateur, television presenter/broadcaster, cookery writer and novelist who has been on the show since it moved from BBC to Channel 4.
She might not look it, but Prue is 84 years old, so if anyone's criticism counts for anything – it's hers. She helped to fill a large, Mary Berry-shaped hole when she took over as the new judge. And, like Noel, she brings a sense of fun to the tent with her colourful sartorial choices.
Who else has presented Bake Off?
Matt Lucas
Matt Lucas hosted Bake Off from 2020 to 2023, taking over from Sandy Toksvig. Speaking about their onscreen chemistry, Noel previously said it was 'weird' working with Matt because they both play similar roles. He told Radio Times, 'With Matt it was a bit weird, because we’re mates and are probably the same low-status person from our respective double acts, where he has [David] Walliams and I have Julian [Barrett]. It was more difficult to find how we worked together, but we managed to find a way.' Matt left the show las summer.
Sandi Toksvig
Comedian and presenter Sandi hosted the show for three years on Channel 4. When she left, she said it was so she could focus on her other work projects, but it later transpired that she'd had her fill of cake. She said, 'To be honest, I left Bake Off because I stopped having fun. I was literally standing there watching meringues dry and thinking, "Oh my god, my brain is atrophying." So after three years, I thought, "That’ll do, go and do something else!"'
She added: 'I’m in love enough with the business to think, "OK, that’s a nice pay cheque, but it doesn’t work for me. I’ll move on and do something else".'
Mel Giedroyc
As for the original presenters, comedy double act Mel and Sue were fan favourites from the very start. Sadly, you can't have one without the other, and when the show left the BBC in 2016, the pair felt it was the right time to call it a day and move on to something else. Since Bake Off, Mel has hosted the Eurovision Song Contest when it was in Liverpool, and she has her own show called Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable on Dave.
Sue Perkins
As for Sue, she currently hosts Just a Minute on BBC Radio 4, so she's kept her feet firmly planted on BBC soil. She also hosts a podcast called At Your Leisure and a Netflix series called Sue Perkins: Perfectly Legal.
Who else has been a judge on Bake Off?
Mary Berry
A huge loss to the Bake Off community, Mary Berry has become synonymous with the show. Even though she hasn't been a judge for almost 10 years. At 89, you can't keep a good woman down and Mary is still working. In July, the BBC commissioned Mary’s Foolproof Dinners; a six-part series that will air later this year on BBC Two. And if that's not enough, she's got a long list of cooking shows you can rewatch with a cup of tea and a slice of cake.
Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across pop culture, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things TV for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow shows with equal respect).