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