The Great British Bake Off will reportedly “relocate” its iconic garland-draped marquee ahead of this year’s Summer Series.
According to The Mirror, Channel 4 programming will continue from Down Hall Hotel in Essex as there is no longer a need to record in a Covid “bubble”.
The hotel and spa has been used for filming of the series since 2020, with contestants and producers staying on site for six weeks to prevent outbreaks – with the show previously filmed at Welford Park in Berkshire.
Big move: The Great British Bake Off is reportedly ‘moving’ its iconic bunting-draped marquee ahead of this year’s summer series – after two years of Covid precautions (Image LR: Paul Hollywood, Matt Lucas, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding )
A source told the publication: We will not be filming in a bubble this year but protocols will be in place to ensure everyone’s safety.
“The whole team, especially Prue [Leith]She found it really hard not being able to go home every week.
“They’re excited that this year will be like it used to be when they shot at the weekend and were able to leave during the week.
Iconic: Channel 4 programming will continue from Down Hall Hotel in Essex after no longer having to record in a Covid ‘bubble’
The show is believed to have moved on from the luxury 98-bedroom historic property, with rooms available to book this summer.
In the first series of Bake Off, the show’s contestants traveled across the country to various locations, filming cakes in the Cotswolds and biscuits in Scotland.
However, this was quickly scrapped when it returned for season two, where it was based at Valentines Mansion in Redbridge, near London.
Speaking to the Full Disclosure podcast last year, Sue Perkins opened up about how the show is seen as the huge success it is now, but the early stages were very different.
Changes: The hotel and spa has been used to film the series since 2020, with contestants and producers staying on-site and Prue Leith (pictured right) “found it really difficult” (next to Paul Hollywood, left).
She said: “Bake Off can now only be seen through the prism of great success.
“But we were there from the start, when Barry’s burger vans were in-house catering, when we were staying at a £25-a-night hostel – and Mary Berry got bed bugs.
“We were a traveling show and the team had to set up the tent. But it has grown tremendously from an intense documentary about food to the beloved program it is now.’
Travel: In the first series of Bake Off, the show’s contestants traveled across the country to various locations, filming cakes in the Cotswolds and biscuits in Scotland
Harptree Court in Somerset then became the shows’ home for seasons three and four before settling in Welford Park in Berkshire, where it remained until the pandemic.
It is not known when the show’s 13th season will air, but previous years have started in September.
Prue Leith has starred alongside original judge Paul Hollywood with Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas as hosts for the past five seasons.
Show: Mary Berry, 86, was booked into a £25-a-night hostel in the early days of the series where she was exposed to insects that feed on human blood (pictured LR Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins, Mary and Paul ).
Cast: Harptree Court in Somerset then became the home of the shows for seasons three and four (Paul, Mary, Sue and Mel were pictured together in 2016)
Matt returned to the show for this second season last year after replacing Sandi Toksvig in 2020.
Great British Bake Off presenters Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc left the show in 2016, shortly after it was announced the series was moving from BBC One to Channel 4.
Judge Mary Berry turned down a huge raise to stay with the back show after switching networks after seven years.
Competition: Prue has starred alongside original judge Paul for the past five seasons, with Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas hosting filming at Welford Park in Berkshire until the pandemic (pictured together in 2022).