LET’SMAKE SOME

The Bake Off spin-off in aid of Stand Up To Cancer returns this week – and one celebrity was desperate to be a Star Baker...

They’ve won an array of awards between them – everything from Olympic gold medals to BRITS and BAFTAS – but over the coming weeks, 19 celebrities will have only one prize on their minds... the Star Baker apron from this year’s The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer.

At the end of each of the five shows, that special apron is given to the amateur baker who has conjured up the best-looking and most scrumptious dishes.

BBC Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo, presenter Emma Willis, The Inbetweeners actor Blake Harrison and co-host of Channel 4’s Taskmaster Alex Horne are donning the oven gloves this week, each eager to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.

In the Signature round, the contestants make decorated biscuits, in the Technical challenge it’s madeleines (small sponge cakes) and for an ambitious Showstopper they must make a choux sculpture embodying their secret talent.

In future weeks, those competing include four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah, Brit-winning singer Ellie Goulding, TV choirmaster Gareth Malone, actors Ben Miller and Katherine Kelly, comedian Ruby Wax, presenter Laura Whitmore and Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse.

Regular Bake Off hosts Noel

Fielding and Matt Lucas resume their presenting duties – but watch out for a brief shift of role for Matt when a celebrity is forced to pull out and he does some baking.

‘It was very last-minute,’ says Matt. ‘I’m thrilled that my humiliation was caught on camera!’

Someone has to win each week, although in line with a tradition that’s been running since the

GBBO spin-off’s inception in 2018, most are dismissive of their chances. ‘I can bake, but anything technical is going to be a challenge,’ admits Ellie Goulding. ‘My friend came round for a meal I’d made and she said it was one of the worst she’d ever eaten!’

Liar star Katherine Kelly is already excusing herself, citing a lack of preparation time. ‘I was

working on a TV drama so my 87year-old nan gave me a one-day crash course in baking and Prue Leith did the same,’ says Katherine.

Obviously, Sir Mo wants to win. ‘Everything I do, even if it’s just playing games with my kids, I want to win,’ he says. ‘To do so on SUTC would be the icing on the cake.’

None of the celebrities are losing sight of the bigger picture though – raising money to fight cancer. ‘My entire fee for the show is being paid directly into SUTC,’ Katherine says. ‘It’s a terrifying disease. Anything that can be done must be done.’

‘So many people I know have died from cancer,’ adds Ruby Wax. ‘I’m doing this show for them.’ ■

Tim Oglethorpe The Great Celebrity Bake Off For SUTC, Tuesday, 8pm, Channel 4.

Celebrity bakers (l-r): Mo, Laura, Gareth, Ellie, Motsi, Ruby and Ben, with judges Paul and Prue and hosts Noel and Matt seated in front