This year's festive edition of The Great British Bake Off will be soaps-themed, it has emerged.

Entering the famous tent for the Christmas special are on-screen EastEnders siblings Natalie Cassidy (Sonia) and Dean Gaffney (Robbie), Emmerdale's Chris Bisson (Jai) and Sheree Murphy (Tricia) and former Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati (Sunita).

A source told The Mirror: "For the Signature challenge the bakers will be asked to put their own spin on the traditional yule log, and for the Technical they need to make delicate Christmas trees out of meringue.

"But as ever, the biggest challenge will come with the Showstopper, which will see them having to re-create one of their favourite festive soap storylines - in biscuit form.

"Will Wellard make an appearance? Could Sonia's trumpet pop up? Perhaps we'll see rum'n'raisin versions of the Woolpack or the Rovers. Absolutely anything is possible."

A second special featuring former contestants from the show is also expected to air over the Christmas and New Year period.