Following Channel 4’s acquisition of The Great British Bake Off last summer, many were left wondering when the pinnacle of BBC television would return.

One of the BBC’s contractual conditions with Love Productions - who produce - was the baking show wouldn’t return within the nest year.

However, those stringent measures have reportedly been lifted, The Sun reporting how work has already begun on a Bake Off series for this summer.

The publication claims that Love Productions weren’t allowed to make offers to potential hosts or lay the groundwork for a new format.

Best Great British Bake Off innuendos Show all 6 1 /6 Best Great British Bake Off innuendos Best Great British Bake Off innuendos 'Dip your cherries in the dough and off we go!' Baking offers so many opportunities for naughty jokes - and Mel and Sue take full advantage Best Great British Bake Off innuendos 'Bakers! Stop nozzling your princesses!' Hosts Mel and Sue offer up a relentless stream of puns and innuendos every week, much to Paul Hollywood's feigned despair (he loves it really) Best Great British Bake Off innuendos 'Was that leakage?' There's a lot of talk of 'leakage' on the Bake Off these days. Most puzzling. Best Great British Bake Off innuendos 'The crimp is critical to stop any leakage from the meat' Paul and Richard are full of innuendos as Mary Berry looks on pretending not to find it amusing Best Great British Bake Off innuendos 'Stop touching your dough balls!' The BBC have been tweeting their 'innuendo of the week' throughout the series Best Great British Bake Off innuendos 'It's got to be risen and rested before it goes in' Oh stop it Paul...

“This has been a massive blockage which would have seen the show off air until 2018,” a source said. "That could have done real damage to the brand. But most importantly, the fans would have missed out.

“It’s great news they’ve agreed not to enforce the contract — and the producers can get on with bringing it back to screens this year.”