Twelve of the country's best amateur bakers take part in the second series of The Great British Bake Off, hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. Over eight weeks their cake-baking, pastry, bread-making and patisserie skills are tested to the limit as they are challenged to bake everything from the perfect tarte au citron to towers of macaroons, and iced fingers to family pies. All the challenges are devised by legendary cookery writer and baker Mary Berry and acclaimed master baker Paul Hollywood who are also on hand to judge and taste their efforts.

The second round of The Great British Bake Off, hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, continues in the search for Britain's best amateur baker. Eleven bakers remain and this time their pastry skills are scrutinised as the bakers tackle tarts. Over two days the bakers will face three increasingly complicated challenges whilst trying to avoid a soggy bottom.

The contestants start this week with the signature bake, a free-form flavoured loaf that produces a variety of interesting results, including a combination of chocolate and onion. Next is the technical challenge - focaccia - that really separates the wheat from the chaff. Finally, a mammoth six-hour hour challenge requires the bakers to create a display bread basket that is filled with 24 bread rolls.

The search for Britain's best amateur baker, with Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, is now haf-way through. The bakers take on biscuits and these bite-sized, delicate delights prove too much for some.

The search for Britain's best amateur baker, with Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, reaches the fifth round and everyone is out to avoid the dreaded soggy bottom as the seven remaining bakers face pies.

The all-lady quarter-final of The Great British Bake Off, hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. The remaining five have to impress with their dessert skills. As usual starting with the signature bake, the exacting judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood are expecting to see and taste baked cheesecakes that reach their high expectations. Next is the technical challenge and the bete noir of most bakers, a chocolate roulade.

Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins host the semi-final. After seven weeks of gruelling challenges, the four remaining bakers must prove they are worth a place in the final.

It's the grand final for the contestants and after seven tough weeks the three finalists face their biggest challenge yet - baking for The Great British Bake Off's street party.

The ultimate baking masterclass with The Great British Bake Off judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.

The ultimate baking masterclass with The Great British Bake Off judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.

In 2010, talented baking enthusiasts from all over Britain came together to compete in the first ever Great British Bake Off. Over six challenging weeks 10 bakers battled it out until finally a winner was crowned.