Jesse Sparks
The home bakers work hard, but the ‘GBBO’ casting department will have to work even harder to sort through the show’s fan favorites
Late last week in an interview with Vulture, Great British Baking Show creative director and executive producer Kieran Smith strongly suggested that, at long last, viewers could soon see an All-Stars season of the cult-followed competition show. It’s not the first time the idea has surfaced: Showrunners considered the move as they constructed the biosphere where contestants ended up living and working out of during the early stages of the Coronavirus pandemic. But now, Smith seems much more forthcoming about the likelihood of the show’s production.
Citing the success of GBBO’s many holiday specials, the franchise’s international and celebrity spin-offs, and previous contestants’ largely unbridled enthusiasm surrounding any opportunity to return to the tent, Smith isn’t worried about past participants’ willingness to compete again. As viewers wait on pins and needles for more information, the Eater staff couldn’t help but make our respective cases for the home bakers we’d love to see get another chance at becoming the star baker to rule them all. Er, well, at least they’d get a lovely glass plate and a picnic with their loved ones after the finale?
Iain Watters (Series 5)
You probably remember it as “bingate,” “the bincident,” or “fridge-gate” but the biggest travesty in GBBO history came in 2014, when contestant Iain decided to dump his showstopper, a baked Alaska, into the trash because the ice cream central to the dish had melted. The ice cream melted, of course, because his fellow contestant Diana Beard removed his ice cream from the freezer to make space for her own dish. Iain was eliminated and roundly criticized by the judges for throwing his melty dessert into the trash, while everyone at home screamed at their televisions about the injustice of it all. Bring back Iain, he deserves a chance to redeem himself. — Amy McCarthy, reporter
Nadiya Hussein (Series 6)
Sometimes, the most obvious choice is the right one. In this case, that means casting Nadiya, who has inarguably become one of the show’s most beloved and successful contestants, should be a no-brainer. — Jesse Sparks, senior editor
Jürgen Krauss (Series 12)
With his expertly exacting bakes and three Star Baker wins, German contestant Jürgen at one time seemed a shoe-in for the Series 12 final. Which was why it was such a shock when he was cut in the semifinals, eliminating his chances of ever facing off against eventual winner Giuseppe Dell’Anno in what would have been a European baking face-off for the ages. At the time it was reported that more than a 100 people publicly lodged complaints. Give the people what they so clearly want, and bring Jurgen back for an all-stars series. — Monica Burton, deputy editor
Sandro Farmhouse (Series 13)
In the tent, every himbo has his day, but few have flourished the way Sandro has. From the constant procession of realistic cakes to the reckless abandon with which he befriends and encourages his competitors, he quickly cemented himself among the season’s refreshingly jovial and friendly patchwork of complementary personalities. — JS
Nelly Ghaffar (Series 15)
I would bring back Nelly from this current season, because she is delightful — the woman wore an actual leaf crown for autumn week, and has arguably the best attitude about going home of any contestant in the history of this show. And also because she was robbed — it wasn’t her time to leave! Justice for Nelly! — Rebecca Flint Marx, Eater at Home editor
Janusz Domagala (Series 13)
For a baking show adept at casting the most saccharine of sweethearts, the series has few contestants that can compare to Janusz’s buoyant and radiant presence. Regardless of the culinary delights and disasters being made under duress, he navigated the challenges with warmth and humor. He’s pretty much a sentient cinnamon roll. — JS
Candice Brown (Series 7)
I’d like to bring back Season 7’s Candice; sure, she already won once, but that just makes her another strong baker to watch again. But if I’m being honest, I’m really in it to once again obsess over her bold, fantastic lipstick choices for each episode. — Missy Fredericks, cities director
Mike Wilkins (Series 15)
I also want to bring back Mike from this season. He was a lovely, calming presence in addition to being an excellent and creative baker; I loved seeing which ingredients he’d use from his farm, and what he was wearing from week to week. Also, he looks like a young Stephen Fry! Forget GBBO: I’d watch a show dedicated solely to daily life on his farm. — RFM
Lizzie Acker (Series 12)
With her shock of reddish-pink hair and uncontrollable laughter, Lizzie was an obvious crowd favorite. She proved this during her time on the show, but even more so through the hilarious and endlessly charming TikTok account she began with fellow Bake Off contestant and current “best mate” Freya. Selfishly, I just want an update on how they’re enjoying life as roommates, best friends, and culinary co-conspirators. — JS
Kim-Joy Hewlett (Series 9)
Personally, I’m holding out for series nine’s Kim-Joy, who is arguably the most delightful GBBO contestant to ever grace the white tent. It is nothing short of incredible to witness her reverse engineer a chandelier made of snowflake-shaped gingerbread or cat-shaped buns. Though, if I’m being completely honest, I’m just here to watch her make all of the animal-themed baked goods. — Gabriella Lewis, supervising producer, development
Helena Garcia (Series 10)
Picking a favorite GBBO cast member to return is basically like picking your favorite child, but I’m going on the record for my favorite goth girl Helena Garcia, whose Spanish accent and moody Halloween bakes lit up Series 10. Was she ultimately the best baker on the show? No, but she was memorable and a great pairing with kitchen vampire Noel Fielding. — Brenna Houck, cities manager
