Junior Bake Off is a British television baking competition in which young bakers aged 9 to 12 tackle a series of challenges involving baking cakes, biscuits, bread, and pastries, competing to be crowned Junior Bake Off Champion.
Junior Bake Off Genre Baking Reality Directed by Amanda Westwood Presented by Judges Country of origin United Kingdom Original language English No. of series9 No. of episodes133
(and 8 specials) Executive producers Kieran Smith Anna Beattie Production locations Running time 28 minutes (2011–2016) 60 minutes (2019–) Production company Love Productions Network CBBC (2011–2016) Channel 4 (2019–) Release 31 October 2011 (2011-10-31 ) – present The Great British Bake Off
The series debuted in 2011 as a spin-off from The Great British Bake Off and is also produced by Love Productions . Four series of Junior Bake Off were broadcast on CBBC from 2011 to 2016. Following its parent series' departure from the BBC in 2017, Junior Bake Off resumed with a fifth series in 2019 on Channel 4 , with comedian Harry Hill as presenter and Prue Leith and Liam Charles as judges. The fifth series concluded on 22 November 2019. The show returned for a sixth series on 11 January 2021. Junior Bake Off returned Monday 10 January 2022 for its seventh series and concluded on 28 January 2022. Junior Bake Off returned on 16 January 2023 for its eighth series and concluded on 3 February 2023. On 5 January it was announced that Junior Bake Off has been renewed for its tenth series to air in 2025.[ 1] [ 2]
[ 3] [ 4]
Each series of Junior Bake Off typically includes 15 episodes. While The Great British Bake Off features three challenges per episode (signature, technical, and showstopper), Junior Bake Off includes only the technical and showstopper challenges. In the first four series, aired on CBBC from 2011 to 2016, the format featured 40 young bakers aged 9 to 12 years old divided into 10 qualifying rounds or heats.[ 5] Each episode featured only four bakers, with one winner each episode and the other three eliminated. The winning baker from each heat were brought back for 'Finals Week' (divided into two semi-finals, followed by two finals, and then one grand final) which determined the winner.
The format was altered in 2019 when the series moved to Channel 4 . The episodes were increased from 30 minutes to one hour, the number of bakers halved to 20 (16 from series 6), and the upper age range of the contestants increased from 12 to 15 (changed back to 12 from series 8[ 6] ).[ 7] Instead of only four bakers taking part in each qualifying round, the bakers are divided into two groups of 10 each, with five eliminated from one group during the first five episodes, and five eliminated from the second group during the second five episodes.[ 8] The remaining five bakers from each group are combined in the week-long finals, resulting in quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.[ 9] The 'Star Baker' award, given to the judges' favourite baker in each episode, was not included in the CBBC version of the show but is a part of the Channel 4 format.
Series
Eps.
Premiere
Finale
Winner
Finalists
Channel
1
13
31 October 2011
17 November 2011
Freya Watson
Kai
CBBC
Kieran
Saffron
2
15
11 November 2013
29 November 2013
Harry
Emma
Ruby
Zainab
3
15
2 November 2015
20 November 2015
Amari Koryang
Alyth
Euan
Megan
4
15
7 November 2016
25 November 2016
Nikki Lilly
Macy
Tyrese
5
15
4 November 2019
22 November 2019
Fin
Aleena
Channel 4
Amal
Eliza
6
15
11 January 2021
29 January 2021
Reece
Robbie
Naima
Cece
7
15
10 January 2022
28 January 2022
Kezia
Lola
Aisya
Fraser
8
15
16 January 2023
3 February 2023
Amelia
Thomas
Annabel
Mya
9
15
2 January 2024
19 January 2024
Tilly
Annabelle
Ilham
Max
Presenters and judges
edit
The first series began on 31 October 2011 on CBBC with judges from the main show Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry . Aaron Craze presented the show.
Heat A
Airdate: 31 October 2011
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Amari
11
North London
Eliminated
Joe
9
West Sussex
Top 8
Joy
12
Glasgow
Eliminated
Marie
11
Southampton
Eliminated
Heat B
Airdate: 1 November 2011
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Millie
11
York
Eliminated
Saffron
10
Essex
Top 8
Sam
11
Cheshire
Eliminated
Stanley
12
Brighton
Eliminated
Heat C
Airdate: 2 November 2011
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Hari
9
Birmingham
Eliminated
Holly
12
Oxford
Eliminated
Kieran
12
York
Top 8
Sylvia
11
Bristol
Eliminated
Heat D
Airdate: 3 November 2011
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Alex
11
Northampton
Eliminated
Cameron
12
Sheffield
Top 8
Ellie
10
Edinburgh
Eliminated
Zyta
12
Aylesbury
Eliminated
Heat E
Airdate: 7 November 2011
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Galway
12
Sutton Coldfield
Eliminated
Jim
11
West Sussex
Eliminated
Sangita
12
Bradford
Top 8
Scott
11
Kent
Eliminated
Heat F
Airdate: 8 November 2011
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Abigail
11
Rowley Regis
Eliminated
Kai
12
Wirral
Top 8
Olivia
12
Pontypridd
Eliminated
Sami
11
Leicester
Eliminated
Heat G
Airdate: 9 November 2011
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Coco-Nina
11
Bath
Eliminated
Conal
11
Cambridge
Eliminated
Jacob
12
Herefordshire
Top 8
Katie
9
County Fermanagh
Eliminated
Heat H
Airdate: 10 November 2011
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Aasiya
11
Hertfordshire
Eliminated
Cameron Stott
7
Derbyshire
Eliminated
Freya Watson
10
Newbury
Top 8
Sam
10
Somerset
Eliminated
Top 8 semi-finals A
Airdate: 14 November 2011
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Cameron
12
Sheffield
Eliminated
Joe
9
West Sussex
Eliminated
Kieran
12
York
Top 4
Saffron
10
Essex
Top 4
Top 8 semi-finals B
Airdate: 15 November 2011
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Freya Watson
10
Newbury
Top 4
Jacob
12
Herefordshire
Eliminated
Kai
12
Wirral
Top 4
Sangita
12
Bradford
Eliminated
Top 4 finals
Airdate: 17 November 2011
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Freya Watson
10
Newbury
Won[ 10]
Kai
12
Wirral
Runner-up
Kieran
12
York
Runner-up
Saffron
10
Essex
Runner-up
A second series began on 11 November 2013 on CBBC.[ 11] Chef James Martin replaced Hollywood as judge.
Heat A
Airdate: 11 November 2013
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Alexandre
12
Hertfordshire
Eliminated
Anna
11
Kent
Eliminated
Brinta
12
London
Eliminated
Griffin
11
Wrexham, North Wales
Top 10
Heat B
Airdate: 12 November 2013
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Ann
12
Bristol
Eliminated
Ben
11
Wales
Eliminated
Ellie
11
Edinburgh
Top 10
Finn
10
North Yorkshire
Eliminated
Heat C
Airdate: 13 November 2013
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Ben
10
North Yorkshire
Eliminated
Emma
11
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Top 10
George
11
Shropshire
Eliminated
Megan
11
Midlands
Eliminated
Heat D
Airdate: 14 November 2013
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Charlie
10
Northampton
Eliminated
Ellie
10
Manchester
Eliminated
Joseph
10
Oldham
Eliminated
Ruby
11
Devon
Top 10
Heat E
Airdate: 15 November 2013
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Abhimanyu
11
Warwickshire
Eliminated
Alex
10
Lincolnshire
Eliminated
Emily
12
South Lanarkshire
Top 10
Jojo
11
London
Eliminated
Heat F
Airdate: 18 November 2013
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Cameron
12
Kent
Eliminated
Elizabeth
11
Bristol
Eliminated
Katie
11
Belfast
Eliminated
Monty
12
Cheshire
Top 10
Heat G
Airdate: 19 November 2013
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Aaminah
12
Middlesex
Eliminated
Alfie
10
Norfolk
Eliminated
Archie
11
County Down, Northern Ireland
Top 10
Esther
9
Cheshire
Eliminated
Heat H
Airdate: 20 November 2013
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Harrison
12
East Sussex
Eliminated
Harry
10
Hampshire
Top 10
Isabelle
12
Lancashire
Eliminated
Rosie
11
Essex
Eliminated
Heat I
Airdate: 21 November 2013
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Charlie
11
Norfolk
Eliminated
Louis
10
Cambridge
Eliminated
Ruby
12
Cheshire
Eliminated
Zainab
10
Hertfordshire
Top 10
Heat J
Airdate: 22 November 2013
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
James
11
Coventry
Eliminated
Kavern
9
London
Top 10
Lily-Grace
12
Middlesex
Eliminated
Missy
11
Birmingham
Eliminated
Top 10 semi-finals A
Airdate: 25 November 2013
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Ellie
11
Edinburgh
Eliminated
Emily
12
South Lanarkshire
Eliminated
Emma
11
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Top 4
Griffin
11
Wrexham, North Wales
Eliminated
Ruby
11
Devon
Top 4
Top 10 semi-finals B
Airdate: 26 November 2013
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Archie
11
County Down, Northern Ireland
Eliminated
Harry
10
Hampshire
Top 4
Kavern
9
London
Eliminated
Monty
12
Cheshire
Eliminated
Zainab
10
Hertfordshire
Top 4
Top 4 finals
Airdate: 26 November 2013
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Harry
10
Hampshire
Won
Emma
11
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Runner-up
Ruby
11
Devon
Runner-up
Zainab
10
Hertfordshire
Runner-up
A third series began airing on 2 November 2015 on CBBC, with Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes replacing Craze as hosts. Allegra McEvedy and Graham Hornigold took over from Berry and Martin as judges.[ 12]
Heat A
Airdate: 2 November 2015
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Alyth
11
Lanarkshire, Scotland
Top 10
Harrison Brown
10
Worcestershire
Eliminated
Kiah
11
London
Eliminated
Matthew
9
Derbyshire
Eliminated
Heat B
Airdate: 3 November 2015
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Farhaan
10
London
Eliminated
Hannah
11
Conwy, North Wales
Eliminated
Olivia Millburn
10
Northumberland
Top 10
Tom
12
London
Eliminated
Heat C
Airdate: 4 November 2015
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Grainne
12
Belfast
Eliminated
Isaac Greenhill
11
York
Top 10
Matilda
10
Surrey
Eliminated
Will
11
Hertfordshire
Eliminated
Heat D
Airdate: 5 November 2015
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Euan Buckley
12
West Lothian
Top 10
Lucy
11
Kent
Eliminated
Peter
10
Sheffield
Eliminated
Sienna
11
Stratford-upon-Avon
Eliminated
Heat E
Airdate: 6 November 2015
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Alex
12
Manchester
Eliminated
Hafsa
12
Wembley
Eliminated
James
12
Gosport
Eliminated
Megan Lewis
12
Rhondda Valley
Top 10
Heat F
Airdate: 9 November 2015
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Alice
11
Dorset
Top 10
Corey
11
Forth Valley
Eliminated
Finlay
10
Northumberland
Eliminated
Sufia
10
West Yorkshire
Eliminated
Heat G
Airdate: 10 November 2015
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Alfie
11
Swindon
Eliminated
Andrea
10
Middlesex
Eliminated
Freddie Patmore
12
Newcastle
Top 10
Lucy
12
Liverpool
Eliminated
Heat H
Airdate: 11 November 2015
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Ben
12
Sutton Coldfield
Eliminated
Darcey Harkness
12
Belfast
Top 10
Isabel
11
Hove
Eliminated
Will
9
Cardiff
Eliminated
Heat I
Airdate: 12 November 2015
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Amari Koryang
11
Birmingham
Top 10
Ben
12
Leeds
Eliminated
Khushi
10
Hertfordshire
Eliminated
Oscar
9
Maidenhead
Eliminated
Heat J
Airdate: 13 November 2015
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Ben
10
Tyne and Wear
Eliminated
Grace
11
Oxfordshire
Eliminated
Purdey Burton
12
London
Top 10
Tom
11
East Sussex
Eliminated
Top 10 quarterfinals A
Airdate: 16 November 2015
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Alyth
11
Lanarkshire, Scotland
Top 6
Darcey
12
Belfast
Eliminated
Euan
12
West Lothian
Top 6
Freddie
12
Newcastle
Top 6
Olivia
10
Northumberland
Eliminated
Top 10 quarterfinals B
Airdate: 17 November 2015
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Alice
11
Dorset
Top 6
Amari
11
Birmingham
Top 6
Isaac
11
York
Eliminated
Megan
12
Rhondda Valley
Top 6
Purdey
12
London
Eliminated
Top 6 semifinals
Airdate: 18 November 2015
Finals
Airdate: 19–20 November 2015
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Amari
11
Birmingham
Won
Alyth
11
Lanarkshire, Scotland
Runner-up
Euan
12
West Lothian
Runner-up
Megan
12
Rhondda Valley
Runner-up
Alice
11
Dorset
Eliminated
Freddie
12
Newcastle
Eliminated
Viewership ratings for series three (2015)
Episode No.
Airdate
Total viewers
CBBC Channel Weekly Ranking
1
2 November 2015
677,000
1
2
3 November 2015
662,000
2
3
4 November 2015
658,000
5
4
5 November 2015
672,000
4
5
6 November 2015
673,000
1
6
9 November 2015
647,000
5
7
10 November 2015
632,000
2
8
11 November 2015
658,000
2
9
12 November 2015
660,000
9
10
13 November 2015
671,000
6
11
16 November 2015
668,000
8
12
17 November 2015
672,000
4
13
18 November 2015
673,000
1
14
19 November 2015
669,000
2
15
20 November 2015
678,000
1
The fourth series began on 7 November 2016 on CBBC.[ 13] Allegra McEvedy returns as judge with Nadiya Hussain replacing Graham Hornigold. Presenters Sam & Mark returned to host.
Heat A
Airdate: 7 November 2016
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Abi
11
Perthshire
Eliminated
Annabel
9
Norfolk
Eliminated
Harry
12
Hampshire
Eliminated
Tyrese
11
London
Top 10
Heat B
Airdate: 8 November 2016
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Billy
12
Wiltshire
Eliminated
Evie
11
Leicestershire
Top 10
Nigel
10
Northamptonshire
Eliminated
Shriyana
11
Swansea
Eliminated
Heat C
Airdate: 9 November 2016
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Ben Wiser
11
Shropshire
Eliminated
Francesca
11
Middlesex
Top 10
Hannah
10
Birmingham
Eliminated
Oliver
11
Staffordshire
Eliminated
Heat D
Airdate: 10 November 2016
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Mack
10
Cardiff
Eliminated
Millie
11
Swindon
Eliminated
Rosie
11
West Midlands
Eliminated
Zac
11
London
Top 10
Heat E
Airdate: 11 November 2016
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Elodie
9
Buckinghamshire
Eliminated
Hamish
10
Edinburgh
Eliminated
Nikki Lilly
12
London
Top 10
Ollie
11
Somerset
Eliminated
Heat F
Airdate: 14 November 2016
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Dylan
10
Sussex
Eliminated
Ali
11
Birmingham
Eliminated
Jenna Ghattaora
11
Nottingham
Top 10
Robin
11
Scottish Borders
Eliminated
Heat G
Airdate: 15 November 2016
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Jamie
9
Doncaster
Eliminated
JJ
11
Tyne and Wear
Eliminated
Maisie
12
Swindom
Top 10
Mia
10
Belfast
Eliminated
Heat H
Airdate: 16 November 2016
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Ffion
10
Gwynedd
Eliminated
Harry
10
Bristol
Eliminated
Lottie Pottinger
12
Cheshire
Top 10
Mehdi
12
London
Eliminated
Heat I
Airdate: 17 November 2016
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Harvey
12
Essex
Eliminated
Joseph
12
Grimsby
Eliminated
Macy Braithwaite
12
Coventry
Top 10
Sophie
10
Merseyside
Eliminated
Heat J
Airdate: 18 November 2016
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Mimi
11
London
Eliminated
Rachel
12
Solihull
Top 10
Tom
12
Surrey
Eliminated
Yasmin
9
Kent
Eliminated
Top 10 quarterfinals A
Airdate: 21 November 2016
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Evie
11
Leicestershire
Eliminated
Francesca
11
Middlesex
Top 6
Nikki Lilly
12
London
Top 6
Tyrese
11
London
Top 6
Zac
11
London
Eliminated
Top 10 quarterfinals B
Airdate: 22 November 2016
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Jenna Ghattaora
11
Nottingham
Top 6
Lottie Pottinger
12
Cheshire
Top 6
Macy Braithwaite
12
Coventry
Top 6
Maisie
12
Swindom
Eliminated
Rachel
12
Solihull
Eliminated
Top 6 semifinals
Airdate: 23 November 2016
Finals
Airdate: 24–25 November 2016
Baker
Age
Hometown
Result
Nikki Lilly
12
London
Won
Macy Braithwaite
12
Coventry
Runner-up
Tyrese
11
London
Runner-up
Jenna Ghattaora
11
Nottingham
Eliminated
Lottie Pottinger
12
Cheshire
Eliminated
Francesca
11
Middlesex
Withdrew[ a]
^ Francesca fell ill before the semifinal and could not continue competing further.
The fifth series began on 4 November 2019 on Channel 4.[ 14] Harry Hill presented the series which was judged by Prue Leith and Liam Charles .
Viewership ratings for series five (2019)
Episode No.
Airdate
Viewers (millions)
Channel Weekly Ranking
1
4 November 2019
1.86
7
2
5 November 2019
1.58
9
3
6 November 2019
1.39
14
4
7 November 2019
—
Outside Top 15
5
8 November 2019
—
Outside Top 15
6
11 November 2019
—
Outside Top 15
7
12 November 2019
1.47
15
8
13 November 2019
1.49
13
9
14 November 2019
—
Outside Top 15
10
15 November 2019
1.60
9
11
18 November 2019
1.46
11
12
19 November 2019
1.58
5
13
20 November 2019
1.46
10
14
21 November 2019
1.54
8
15
22 November 2019
1.66
4
The sixth series of Junior Bake Off began on 11 January 2021 on Channel 4[ 15] with Ravneet Gill replacing Prue Leith .
Viewership ratings for series six (2021)
Episode No.
Airdate
Viewers (millions)[ 16]
Channel Weekly Ranking
1
11 January 2021
1.70
11
2
12 January 2021
1.59
13
3
13 January 2021
1.66
12
4
14 January 2021
1.42
15
5
15 January 2021
—
Outside Top 15
6
18 January 2021
—
Outside Top 15
7
19 January 2021
1.64
14
8
20 January 2021
1.90
10
9
21 January 2021
1.63
15
10
22 January 2021
1.72
11
11
25 January 2021
1.60
13
12
26 January 2021
1.53
15
13
27 January 2021
—
Outside Top 15
14
28 January 2021
1.65
11
15
29 January 2021
1.84
9
The seventh series originally aired on 10–28 January 2022 on Channel 4, with 16 contestants competing to be crowned the winner of the seventh series. Comedian Harry Hill and bakers Liam Charles and Ravneet Gill returned as host and judges respectively. From episodes 1–3, Paul Hollywood stood in for Charles.[ 17] The bakers were divided into two groups of 8, with four eliminated from each group over five days of competition. The remaining four bakers from each group were combined in the week-long finals, culminating in a "super-difficult showdown" episode that determined the winner.[ 18] Kezia won the 2022 series.[ 19] [non-primary source needed ]
Source:[ 20]
Top 8 Finals
Baker
Age
Hometown
Star Baker (leg)
Star Baker (total)
Finish
Kezia
13
London
1 (2nd)
3
Won
Aisya
12
Manchester
1 (4th)
2
Runner-up
Lola
9
Lancashire
1 (1st)
2
Runner-up
Fraser
15
York
1 (3rd)
4
Runner-up
Quique
9
Devon
0
1
5th
Macy
10
Liverpool
0
0
6th
Salma
13
Manchester
0
1
7th
Gabriel
10
Cornwall
0
0
8th
Viewership ratings for series seven (2022)
Episode No.
Airdate
Viewers (millions)[ 21]
Channel Weekly Ranking
1
10 January 2022
1.34
10
2
11 January 2022
1.32
11
3
12 January 2022
—
Outside Top 15
4
13 January 2022
—
Outside Top 15
5
14 January 2022
—
Outside Top 15
6
17 January 2022
—
Outside Top 15
7
18 January 2022
1.19
13
8
19 January 2022
—
Outside Top 15
9
20 January 2022
—
Outside Top 15
10
21 January 2022
1.17
15
11
24 January 2022
—
Outside Top 15
12
25 January 2022
1.23
13
13
26 January 2022
1.22
14
14
27 January 2022
—
Outside Top 15
15
28 January 2022
1.24
12
The eighth series of Junior Bake Off began airing on 16 January 2023 on Channel 4 . For the fourth series in a row, Harry Hill presented the series, which was judged by Ravneet Gill and Liam Charles . Amelia won the competition and Thomas, Mya and Annabel B were runners up.
Heat one
Baker
Age
Hometown
Star Baker (leg)
Position
Sofia
10
Lancashire
2 (1st & 4th)
Top 8
Imogen
9
Bath
1 (2nd)
Top 8
Dolly
10
Cheshire
0
Top 8
Annabel A
11
Antrim
1 (5th)
Top 8
Oliver
11
Yorkshire
1 (3rd)
Eliminated 4th
Charlie
9
Sussex
0
Eliminated 3rd
Ezekiel
12
Leeds
0
Eliminated 2nd
Alfie
9
Sussex
0
Eliminated 1st
The ninth series of Junior Bake Off began airing on 2 January 2024 on Channel 4 . For the fifth series in a row, Harry Hill presented the series, which was judged by Ravneet Gill and Liam Charles . Tilly won the competition and Max, Annabelle and Ilham were runners up.
Heat one
Baker
Age
Hometown
Star Baker (leg)
Position
Grace
12
Somerset
2 (3rd & 4th)
Top 8
Rudy
10
Birmingham
2 (2nd & 5th)
Top 8
Charlie
10
Swansea
0
Top 8
Esme
9
Essex
0
Top 8
Ethan
11
Bath
0
Eliminated 4th
Elsie
9
London
0
Eliminated 3rd
Layla
11
Leeds
0
Eliminated 2nd
Issac
11
Yorkshire
1 (1st)
Eliminated 1st
Top 8 Finals
Baker
Age
Hometown
Star Baker (leg)
Star Baker (total)
Finish
Tilly
12
Oxfordshire
1 (3rd)
2
Won
Annabelle
12
Manchester
1 (2nd)
3
Runner-up
Max
12
Surrey
0
2
Runner-up
Ilham
12
London
2 (1st & 4th)
2
Runner-up
Grace
12
Somerset
0
2
5th
Rudy
10
Birmingham
0
2
6th
Charlie
11
Swansea
0
0
7th
Esme
9
Essex
0
0
8th
International versions
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