What is Great British Bake Off 2026's Audience Choice and when is Second Helpings on?
Audience Choice has never been done on the show beforeThe Great British Bake Off returns tonight but with a huge Audience Choice twist – but what exactly is it?
Paul Hollywood and his new co-star Nigella Lawson will again be returning to the tent to put the bakers through their paces.
But this week, things are going to be a little different.
In a show first, the audience – ie, the viewers at home – have been handed the reins.
Paul and Nigella will be taking a step back for what is going to be a very exciting and new week in the Bake Off tent.
Here’s what we know.
What is Great British Bake Off’s Audience Choice?
Audience Choice is a brand new themed week for this year’s series of The Great British Bake Off. The change comes with the arrival of Nigella to the show.
Cake and Biscuit Weeks are over, so it’s time to mix it up for week three in the competition.
In tonight’s show, all of the three challenges will have been set by the viewers. These are the Signature Challenge, the Technical Bake and the Showstopper.
Viewers were asked to submit suggestions to the Bake Off team in January this year.
The show’s official website stated at the time: “If you’ve got a signature, technical or showstopper challenge you’ve always wanted to see on the show, now is your opportunity!”
The first challenge chosen by the viewers is to bake a Signature cheesecake. And in a further twist, each of the contestants will be given a very special helping hand while they do it.
They will be joined in the tent by their loved ones!
‘Confidence went up’
Paul said: “It was a nice idea, that. I think it really worked because you could see the partnership, and they did relax a little bit more and confidence went up.
“And the confidence was still with them afterwards when their family member had gone or friend had gone.”
The Technical Challenge will see the introduction of a mystery box at each work station. This is very similar to the task set in BBC One’s MasterChef. But in this version, the viewers have decided the ingredients.
Finally, the budding bakers will be challenged to make a ‘wearable bake’ for their Showstopper. The rules state that they will have to be able to wear their creation once it is made!
Nigella Lawson reacts to Great British Bake Off’s Audience Choice
Nigella has admitted that the entire challenge would fill her with “terror”.
But she added: “[It worked] surprisingly well. You know, you’re never going to get an even standard with everyone, but you know, they really do pull it out of the bag when they need to.
“It is quite amazing because these are not easy challenges, they wouldn’t be easy for a professional baker, I think.”
Alison Hammond, who co-hosts the Channel 4 show with Noel Fielding, also explained: “We used a lot of mannequins in order to show off the wearable bakes.”
Nigella then quipped: “Because obviously, it wouldn’t be enormously hygienic to be eating off someone!”
What time is The Great British Bake Off on tonight?
The Great British Bake Off’s Audience Choice week will kick off at 8pm tonight (Tuesday October 6, 2026). The show will once again run for 90 minutes on Channel 4, with an end time of 9.30pm.
By the end of the show, the poorest performer of the bakers will be asked to leave the tent. The best will be awarded this week’s Star Baker.
When is Second Helpings on?
Second Helpings is The Great British Bake Off’s new companion show. It has replaced previous spin-off programme Extra Slice and is hosted by Judi Love and Jon Richardson.
But you might struggle to find it on your TV!
Second Helpings does following tonight’s episode of GBBO, but it will not air immediately after. It starts at 10.35pm on Channel 4, following this week’s episode of Tempting Fortune.
Tonight, Judi and Jon will be joined by Great British Bake Off superfans Roisin Conaty and Carol Vorderman. The show ends at 11.20pm.
We’re really enjoying this series of GBBO, are you?
