Prue Leith confirms when The Great British Bake Off will return – and it’s just around the corner

PRUE Leith has confirmed when the next season of The Great British Bake Off will be – and it’s a lot sooner than you think.

The restaurateur and television presenter took to Instagram on Wednesday to announce that the beloved baking show will be back with new episodes later this month.

It is understood that the show will be returning for a limited five-part series in aid of Stand Up to Cancer and will be titled The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off.

It was first announced back in February that the show would be inviting celebrities to enter the famous tent.

A different set of four celeb bakers will be competing in three rounds, which will include the signature, technical and showstopper challenges.

But, at the end of each show, only one will be decorated with the coveted Star Baker apron.

Over the years, The Great British Bake Off has provided nail-biting drama and eye-catching bakes – but there has also been vicious backstabbing and claims of foul play on the show, too.

The show began on the BBC in 2010 with judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, as well as hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc.

But it was controversially bought out by Channel 4 – as was one of its judges, bread whizz Paul.

The broadcaster paid a whopping £75m to take Bake Off from its home, with makers Love Productions getting four times what the broadcaster paid.

Allegations of cheating, custard-stealing and freezer-rejigging have also rocked the show, making it one of the most scandalous TV competitions ever.

The Great British Bake Off will return on Channel 4 at 8pm from Tuesday, March 22.