6 episodes · 2010

Series 1 of The Great British Bake Off, aired on BBC 2, saw ten home bakers take part in a bake-off to test every aspect of their baking skills as they battled to be crowned the Great British Bake Off’s best amateur baker. Each week the nationwide tour saw keen bakers put through three challenges in a particular discipline. The rounds took place in various locations across the UK following a theme, for example, the episode on puddings would take place in Bakewell, bread baking would take place near Sandwich. This first series had a voiceover by Stephen Noonan; for the subsequent series this role was taken by the on-screen presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.

11 episodes · 2011

In this year's series of The Great British Bake Off twelve amateur bakers started the competition and they were gradually eliminated during each round of the contest. Unlike series 1, this year the competition was held in a single location - in the ground of Valentines Mansion, a 17th-century mansion house in Redbridge. In addition to their on-screen presenting roles, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins also took over the narration of the show, which in series 1 had been done by Stephen Noonan. Series 2 also introduced the "star baker" award for the most impressive performer each week. Three and a half thousand people applied for the competition, and 12 were selected. Each episode was filmed over two 14-hour days.