As the UK tightens its collective economic belt, what better way is there to lift the spirits than combining a spot of home baking with the ever-popular Hairy Bikers, aka Dave Myers and Simon King, as they return to BBC Two as the Hairy Bakers. In this new series, the lads take to the road to explore, in their inimitable, anarchic way, the nation’s timeless love of bread, tea-time treats, pies, pastries and celebration cakes.

Today’s opener looks at the history of bread. As a nation, we routinely consume ciabatta, focaccia and naan, but how many of us can turn out a decent loaf? Our biking bakers show how easy and rewarding it can be, baking a healthy white roll for the perfect bacon buttie.

The lads also commandeer a windmill in Lincolnshire to mill their own flour – think Windy Miller meets Motorhead – and make a fermented classic brown loaf to go with their unique take on the perfect ploughman’s lunch. They also conjure up some homemade naan bread on the shores of a midge-infested lake and a curry to go with it. Back in the warmth of Dave’s kitchen, they bake a fantastic brown ale and cheese bread, served with some onion soup.

Monday 18 August
8.30-9.00pm BBC TWO