1. Bake Off was born because Anna Beattie, its creator, thought there was something about village fete baking competitions that could work on TV.

2. Anna brought homemade scones to the show's first production meeting.

3. Mel and Sue were approached to do the show together.

4. And it was Mel who suggested that the producers should ask Mary Berry to get involved.

5. Before getting in touch with Paul, producers considered The Fabulous Baker Brothers, Dan Lepard, and Rick Stein.