It may now be a national treasure, but The Great British Bake Off almost never made it to air after being repeatedly turned down by broadcasters.

Co-creator Richard McKerrow has revealed that he and Anna Beattie spent years trying to convince television executives to commission the format before the BBC finally took a chance in 2010.

Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, McKerrow admitted: 'We pitched Bake Off for four or five years. We were told it would be like watching paint dry, no one was interested.'

The show's unlikely beginnings make its success all the more remarkable. 

After debuting on the BBC, Bake Off switched to Channel 4 in 2017 and has gone on to attract record-breaking audiences. Its eleventh series in 2020 drew the biggest audience for a Channel 4 series in 35 years.

From the start, the heart of the show has been its judges. The original duo of Mary Berry, now 90, and Paul Hollywood, 59, won the nation's affection. 

When Mary stepped down in 2016, she was replaced by Prue Leith, 85, who remains a stalwart of the tent alongside Paul.

McKerrow admitted even he underestimated Mary at first, saying: 'It was a slam dunk, the camera loved her. The lesson I learned there is…get rid of all preconceptions.'

Over the years, Bake Off has spawned a string of spin-offs including Celebrity Bake Off for charity, Junior Bake Off, Bake Off: The Professionals and after-show An Extra Slice. 

It has also inspired international versions as well as BBC favourites The Great British Sewing Bee and The Great Pottery Throw Down.

The revelation follows the news that a fresh bakers dozen have been unveiled as Channel 4 reveals that the Great British Bake Off is returning to screens on September 2.

Series 16 will see 12 contestants go head to head in the famous tent under the watchful eye of returning judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith and hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.

Among them are a bridal designer, a grandmother, a med student who at 23 is the series' youngest contestant as well as two hairdressers and a rollerskating drag king.

Multitalented Jessika is among those hoping to win the coveted Star Baker accolades and a Hollywood handshake or two.

The London based service designer performs a rollerskating Drag King act and is also a keen gymnast.

The 32-year-old said: 'Seeing the big white tent for the first time was so weird. I've watched the show for years, and entertained the idea that, potentially, maybe, one day, this girl could quite possibly bake up a storm for the judges.

Meanwhile former amateur powerlifter Iain looks to give Jessika a run for her money, quipping that he has given himself the nickname Yeastie Boy thanks to his penchant for putting album covers onto the crusts of his loaves.

The 29-year-old software engineer said: 'When I got the call to confirm my place I was in sheer disbelief, I had no idea it would actually happen.

'I thought it was a prank at first, I got a call a few minutes after being told and I thought they were going to tell me they made a mistake and I wasn't actually on the show!'

At 23 medical student Edinburgh-born Jasmine is this year's youngest hopeful.

The London based contestant learnt the art of baking through her mother and aunts and has revealed she likes 'using classic flavours and techniques to produce delicious bakes.'

Hairdresser Lesley, 53, is also inspired by her family, passing on her kitchen skills to her granddaughter Mabel after falling in love with baking as a child herself, thanks her Nanny Mable and Auntie Joan.

There's another hairdresser in the mix. 41-year-old Nadia is inspired by her Italian chef dad and loves to blend Indian and Italian flavours.

The much-loved baking competition has become an autumn TV tradition, drawing in millions each year for a mix of spectacular showstoppers and kitchen disasters.