'The Great British Baking Show' Season 4 Episode 1: Cake Week

Welcome back everyone to what I expect will be a memorable and bittersweet season of The Great British Baking Show. You may recall that in 2016, the BBC was outbid by a rival UK network, Channel 4, for the rights to produce The Great British Bake Off. For more on the changes that resulted, read this.

Needless to say, the series we are about to watch will be the final time you will see the revered Mary Berry hold court in the baking tent at Welford Park. And perhaps an even greater blow to the spirit of this competition, this season is the swan song for the extraordinary hosting team of Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc as well. I suggest we appreciate these talented ladies and be mindful of the joy they bring while we can. Also please continue to enjoy the comraderie and support the bakers offer one another with sincere "well done's" and other encouraging words.

So if you’re ready to embark upon this delicious adventure, let’s get acquainted with our fresh new field of competitors as they are tested with the traditional first round – Cake Week!