Bake Off stars ‘got thousands’ for charity show
GREAT British Bake Off presenters were paid thousands to appear on charity editions of the show, it was claimed yesterday.
Paul Hollywood, Sandi Toksvig, Noel Fielding and Prue Leith were all said to have received fees for the Stand Up To Cancer specials.
Miss Leith is thought to have been paid £59,000 for her role as a judge on the five specials, while Hollywood was paid £117,500.
Fielding was paid £44,000 for his hosting duties, according to The Sun.
Channel 4 claimed that the stars made a ‘significant donation’ to Stand Up To Cancer, but would not confirm how much went to the charity.
Celebrities who appeared as contestants during the five-week run that ended on Tuesday donated their entire fee.
The presenters’ and judges’ contracts cover their commitments to all Bake Off shows – meaning the amateur, celebrity and Christmas versions – Channel 4 confirmed. A source told The Sun: ‘None of the celebrity bakers took any money as their entire fees were donated to Stand Up To Cancer. But the presenters and judges all took a massive payday as part of their wider new Bake Off contracts. It’s pretty appalling.’
During this week’s final episode, comedian Alan Carr said: ‘We’re all doing it for Stand Up To Cancer. And 100 per cent of that money goes to the charity.’
Many viewers took to social media to voice their disappoint
‘Shameful amount’
ment at the presenters. One tweeted: ‘It’s a total disgrace that Paul Hollywood and other certain presenters on Great British Bake Off for cancer show are getting paid when all the money is going to the charity.’
Another said: ‘Paul Hollywood earns over £100,000 for it. Hardly charity work.’
A third added: ‘Shameful the amount stars who presented C4’s The Great British Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer were paid.’ Channel 4 said: ‘Our aim is to raise as much money as possible for Stand Up To Cancer and 100 per cent of the money raised goes directly to the charity.
‘All contributors donate their fee to the campaign. Those who are already contracted for longrunning series also make a significant donation to the SU2C campaign and as a result of their involvement millions have been raised to fund ground-breaking research that will save lives.’
Rachel Carr, head of Stand Up To Cancer at Cancer Research UK, said: ‘Stand Up To Cancer is a joint national fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 that brings the UK together to raise funds, awareness and build momentum in the fight against cancer. Since launching in the UK in 2012, it’s raised more than £38million for research into new treatments and tests that will save lives.
‘ We’re thrilled to have the Great British Bake Off as part of the campaign this year. We’ve had an absolutely fantastic response from the public and we’re incredibly grateful to all the celebrities who gave up their time and donated.’