BAKE on break!

PAUL HOLLYWOOD spills the beans on the grand final, plus we chat to the four semi-finalists

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THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF LAST ONE TUESDAY, 8PM, C4 COOKERY

After nine weeks of sensational Swiss rolls, sprinkle-laden school cakes and stunning soufflés, it's crunch time as the 16th series of The Great British Bake Off reaches its conclusion on C4.

To prove worthy of being crowned the 2025 champion, the remaining three hopefuls must impress judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith by whipping up iced buns in the Signature Challenge, constructing a tower of French treats in the Technical and creating cakes measuring over 1.2 metres long in the Showstopper.

'It all comes down to the Showstopper - which is unusual,' Paul, 59, who has served on the show since it began in 2010, tells TV Times in an exclusive interview. 'It is really tight, down to the last hour.'

Despite the tense atmosphere in the tent, there is still a celebratory feel to proceedings as over 700 of the bakers' loved ones gather at Welford Park in Berkshire, where the competition is filmed, to hear hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding reveal who has landed the cake-stand trophy.

'There was a proper party atmosphere,' smiles Paul. 'We had a merry-go-round, a helter-skelter and a strongman game. It was amazing!'

As you might be reading this before the finalists are revealed in the episode set to air on Tuesday 28 October, here, TV Times asks all four semifinalists to reflect on their Bake Off journeys... or break!

JASMINE

MEDICAL STUDENT, 23

Does it feel special to have reached the semifinal?

Still being in the competition feels unreal. I'd not let myself think about getting that far.

What has been the best part?