Great British Bake Off - as it happened: Dessert week is here, but was there an editing error?

Britain’s most beloved and pastel-hued baking show is back once more, with a batch of new Great British Bake Off contestants taking a break from skipping merrily in a park to try and get Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith’s taste buds tingling.

Last episode was bread week, as contestants tried to impress with Chelsea buns, while the technical challenge – non-yeast naan bread – proved a difficult bake to master. The gang then grappled with the devilishly difficult showstopper (korovai, a traditional bread in Eastern Europe that’s mainly associated with weddings).

Rahul was named Star Baker for the second week in a row, with Antony was sadly sent packing.  

Watch all the action as it happened below (please allow a moment for it to load).

Live Updates

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11:58

Welcome to the Great British Bake Off live blog! We will endeavour to keep things as calm and gentle as Noel Fielding's presenting voice.

12:58

The show starts at 8pm on Channel 4, so we'll be bringing you some past highlights until then.

13:58

This week, our contestants will be indulging their sweet tooth with Dessert Week. The official synopsis reads:

"There is a cracking meringue Signature; a wobbly Technical that breaks the mould; and a complex chocolate Showstopper that promises to reveal all."

14:58

Never one to sugarcoat her words, The Great British Bake Off judge has said she 'prefers savoury cooking to baking'

 

Prue Leith admits she doesn't have a passion for baking but a passion for eating cakes

The IndependentNever one to sugarcoat her words, The Great British Bake Off judge said she 'prefers savoury cooking to baking'

15:58

Catch up on last week's events here...
 

The 5 biggest talking points from Bake Off's third week

The IndependentFrom Terry’s technical triumph to Karen’s red beret

16:58

17:58

 A look back at least week's episode...

18:58

A fun Fielding-related fact from director Edgar Wright

19:40

The best of Bake Off's unlikely style icon
 

A definitive ranking of all Noel Fielding's shirts on The Great British Bake Off - and where to buy them

The IndependentHe's Bake Off's unlikely style icon

19:58

It's time for another Bake Off. Are you ready? 

20:02

It's Dessert Week and the question is, will Rahul triumph once more? There's some quiet screaming going on from the contestants. Maybe not the best sign.

20:03

Sandi there, with the slowest custard pie in the face history has ever witnessed.

20:04

Small but important update: Terry is unfortunately ill this week, so won't be competing in the episode.

20:07

A statement from Love Productions: "Terry was unable to join the bakers in the tent for episode four because he was unwell, but rest assured, he returns in episode 5."

20:07

But, anyways, on to the first challenge, the Signature. And it's meringue roulade. Which is a thing I didn't know existed.

20:18

It looks like Manon's in trouble. Her meringue is looking more cracked than the San Andreas fault (that's the best meringue joke I can do, there it is).

20:20

20:23

Does "tight swirl" count as an innuendo?

20:25

Dan has now scored three Paul Hollywood handshakes in a row. That makes him the frontrunner right?

20:28

Are the handshakes this series an overkill? 

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