The Great Celebrity Bake Off is back – and the heat is on to raise more life-saving dough in order to stand up to cancer.
Now in its fifth year, the spin-off charity series returns to Channel 4, complete with a new batch of 19 celebrities, each vying for the coveted Star Baker arena.
But they’re not the only famous faces hoping to impress Pro Leith and Paul Hollywood, because this season host Matt Lucas also finds himself in the firing line of judges – and fellow presenter Noel Fielding – as he makes up for the missing baker.
“(He’s creepy!” The “Little Britain” star, 48, who used to head the bakers’ effort, taunts. “I only found out before. No time to prepare. Mind you, no time to worry either!”
Can he bake? “Wait and watch!” Harasses. “My strengths generally are to say no when people ask me to take part in bread shows – an offer that, on this occasion, has screwed me up!”
So just who will join him?
all star streak
As usual, the stars of the world of music, entertainment and sports have not shied away from rolling up their sleeves for this great cause.
He stars in Stand Up to Cancer: comedian and Taskmaster Alex Horne author; international broadcaster Annie McManus (better known as Annie Mac); Actor and children’s author Ben Miller; Actor Blake Harrison. Broadcaster Clara Ampho. Ed Gamble Award-winning comedian and podcaster; singer-songwriter and UN Environment Ambassador Ellie Goulding; TV presenter Emma Willis; An example is the singer-songwriter.
Fans can also expect to see broadcaster and broadcaster Gareth Malone; Actress Katherine Kelly. TV presenter Laura Whitmore; Actor, writer and comedian Mwan Radwan; Olympic gold medalist Sir Mo Farah; judge, presenter and dancer Motsy Mabus; comedian, writer, and television presenter Robbie Wax; TV presenter Sophie Morgan; Actress Tracy Ann Oberman. and comedian and musician Young Feli.
the operation
Divided into five episodes, the latest series will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, inviting four brave celebrities to the iconic white tent each week.
In a bid to win, they will each compete in three rounds: Signature Challenges, Tech and Showstopper. Then, it’s up to Hollywood and Leith to judge their culinary creations, before only one person is awarded the title Star Baker.
But who can imagine their chances?
“I can bake a little!” Golding, 35, said: “I wouldn’t say I’m quite confident as a breader, I often make mistakes in baking. I tend to stray a lot from the recipe, which proves disastrous.”
Horn, 43, compares, “I can’t bake. I’ve never baked. My kids can bake better than me.” “But I saw this as an opportunity to learn a new craft and maybe forge a new career. I’m just doing it so I can make a cookbook. It’s not right. I can’t bake.”
“This is my first time. But do you know what? I really enjoy it!” Farah, 38, admits. “I can see myself doing more.”
“I’d say I’m fine with my baking. I enjoy baking, it’s almost like meditating. I like putting everything together and getting this lovely result in the end. Normally!” Mabus says, 40.
For Example 39, “I don’t like baking at all, it’s very specific when it comes to measurements. Which I hate because I hate rules! But if I had to prepare for a contest, I would do everything I could to win it!”
baked goods
Ask Goulding to make chocolate fondant and you might be in trouble, warning: “Something takes a lot of time and is really technical (it would be disastrous). So, fondant cake or pie dough or something!”
For Whitmore, 36, It’s Baked Alaska: “I once tried to make (that), and basically made a baked omelette. I actually didn’t even think about what they might ask us to make, but I really hope it isn’t (which– Which)!
“My favorite cake is the red velvet cake, and this is my favorite thing,” she adds. “When I was a kid, I loved my mom’s apple pie, because our neighbor had an apple tree in her garden, so I could make that. Just stick to the basics and what you know—chocolate cake and apple pie.”
If you’re looking for a simple, “I kind of run around with my kids and make donuts!” Willis, 45, presents. “I can make a sponge, but that’s the limit for me. Big sponge, put a little cream and jam in it, put some icing sugar on top to make it look pretty, but that’s the extent of my baking skills!”
The good reason
In the face of challenges and cancer, celebrity bakers hope to inspire viewers to do the same.
“I prefer appearing on screen as a character. However, I made this exception because Stand Up To Cancer raises money for cancer research and treatment and my fees are fully paid directly into this fund,” Kelly reasons, 42. “It’s a terrifying disease. All I can do is It has to be done.”
“A lot of people I know, that’s what they died for. So I’m doing this for them. And for everyone else,” says Wax, 68.
Harrison, 36, recognizes that “one in two people will develop cancer in their lifetime, so if you haven’t had cancer, someone in your life will likely have.” “So I think everyone is just trying to do their homework, really. It’s so important to raise awareness and help raise money for the research.”
Ampho, 37, agrees: “In the past few years, four beautiful women I know, my age, have been diagnosed with cancer, and it really struck me how widespread the cancer is and the cruelty. It doesn’t distinguish between class, gender, race, or activity Sexual, it can happen to anyone.
And she concluded her speech, saying, “It is not only the person who has the disease, but it affects everyone around him from the people who love him.” “This is why it is so important to stand up to cancer – we need to fund research that can save lives.”
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer, Channel 4, Tuesday, 8 p.m.
