The Great British Bake Off Series 3: Episode Guide & Ratings

The series gets underway with cake week - during which two of the bakers will be sent home. The first stage of the challenge features a fruit cake, while the technical is a retro classic that requires intricate decoration. Finally, for the showstopper, the contestants must create the birthday cake they wish they had received as a child.

It's crunch time with Biscuit Week, starting off with a luxurious chocolate coated signature bake, then a snack with family significance for Paul and an eye-catching showstopper.

The bakers tackle a signature bake designed to be shared; a deceptively simple summer staple in the Technical; and an ambitious Showstopper.

Prue and Paul set some tricky challenges for the remaining bakers, including a Technical that dates back to Henry VIII and a Showstopper that's usually found at Indian weddings.

The challenges inspired by the roaring twenties include a slapstick Signature and a tiered Showstopper special.

The cake layers stack up in an elegant and challenging bake. There's also a spherical celebration cake and a Technical where success lies in precise decoration.

The bakers draw inspiration from around the world, including something deep fried and Italian, and a spectacular Indonesian celebration cake.

The remaining bakers have their knowledge of pastry tested to the max with a savoury take on a French classic, a multi-layered Moroccan Technical, and a towering Showstopper.

It's the semi-final, and the remaining bakers are tested on their patisserie skills, with a domed Signature dish, a towering Technical and a display case Showstopper

The stakes couldn't be higher as Paul and Prue set three challenges that test every aspect of the bakers' skills. Who will be crowned 2019's Bake Off champion?