The Great Australian Bake Off is set to return after Foxtel re-secures its format rights

The Great Australian Bake Off is set to make a major return on Foxtel… two years after canning the series

It was rumoured to make a comeback on free-to-air television and replace My Kitchen Rules on Channel Seven.

But it looks like The Great Australian Bake Off will be making its way back to airing on Foxtel, after the pay TV company revealed it had re-secured the format rights to the franchise. 

Preparation is currently underway to start filming a new season, TV Blackbox reported this week.

Confirmed: The Great Australian Bake Off will be returning to screens nationwide, after Foxtel revealed it had re-secured the format rights to the franchise. Pictured (L-R): Former judges Matt Moran, Maggie Beer, Claire Hooper and Mel Buttle

Foxtel remaining tight lipped on who could present the family friendly show could suggest former presenters Matt Moran, Maggie Beer, Mel Buttle and Claire Hooper  could be returning, too. 

The new season of The Great Australian Bake Off comes as Foxtel looks to increase its investment in lifestyle programming, the publication reported.

It is also producing two new TV series, Selling In The City and The Repair Shop Australia.

News of the wholesome series returning to screens nationwide follows rumours swirling about whether it could find a new home on Channel Seven in December.

Rumoured in 2020: The show was rumoured to find a new home on Channel Seven, which was without a cooking series after the cancellation of My Kitchen Rules and Plate of Origin. Pictured: Plate of Origin judge Manu Feildel, with contestants Kelly and Ashley

Rumoured in 2020: The show was rumoured to find a new home on Channel Seven, which was without a cooking series after the cancellation of My Kitchen Rules and Plate of Origin. Pictured: Plate of Origin judge Manu Feildel, with contestants Kelly and Ashley

TV Tonight reported on the possibility at the time, as the network was left without a cooking show after the cancellation of My Kitchen Rules and Plate of Origin.

Back in October, Seven West Media managing director and CEO James Warburton hinted the network had a few surprises up its sleeve for next year. 

‘Our new content led strategy of outsourcing proven international formats has delivered this year with an incredible resurgence led by the phenomenal performance of Big Brother and Farmer Wants a Wife,’ Mr Warburton said. 

Wholesome: Seven's Head of Production Andrew Backwell previously told TV Tonight he liked the format of The Great Australian Bake Off

Wholesome: Seven’s Head of Production Andrew Backwell previously told TV Tonight he liked the format of The Great Australian Bake Off 

‘We have shown only glimpses of our best from this year and that’s got us to less than half a point from being the most watched network in the country.’

Seven’s Head of Production Andrew Backwell previously told TV Tonight he liked the format of The Great Australian Bake Off, which first aired on Nine before moving to Foxtel’s Lifestyle channel. 

‘I like the format of Bake Off. It’s still powering in the UK. I think that will pop up somewhere at some stage, but it’s not a priority for us,’ Mr Backwell said.  

Foxtel has been contacted for comment.   

Details: The Great Australian Bake Off is based on the BBC baking competition The Great British Bake Off (pictured). Pictured: Current contestants Olympian Kelly Holmes, singer Anne-Marie and comedian David Baddiel and actor James McAvoy on the UK series

Details: The Great Australian Bake Off is based on the BBC baking competition The Great British Bake Off (pictured). Pictured: Current contestants Olympian Kelly Holmes, singer Anne-Marie and comedian David Baddiel and actor James McAvoy on the UK series