MARION McMULLEN
BLACKBIRDS FLYING OUT OF A PIE... Prue Leith spills the beans to about life on Celebrity Bake Off as it comes to an end
BAKED offerings by Carol Vorderman, Kelly Brook, Mo Gilligan and Rob Rinder will come under the scrutiny of judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood in the final slice of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer.
Prue and Paul are used to tasting everything from delicious delights to devastating disasters and presenters Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig will be on hand to provide tea and sympathy for the celebrity bakers as they go head to head in the pressure-filled tent.
What is 80-year-old Prue’s recipe for success for working with Paul?
FIRST of all I really respect him as a professional, and what I love about him is that he is so direct on most things. I think he could give a masterclass on television on how not to blink.
When he describes something he is so concise and accurate, whereas I waffle away and take ages, but thankfully the edit makes me look good.
How is it working with Sandi and Noel as well?
SANDI is so kind and looks after us all. I think we will be friends for life as we do get on so well.
Sandi is a much stronger feminist than I am, but we both care about fairness and politics.
Noel, well, he is adorable and sweet and it’s like having a lovely big puppy around – enthusiastic, excitable and a bit mad. I admire him a lot.
Who would be your dream dinner party guests?
EDMUND BURKE the 18th century political philosopher, Judi Dench, Terry Wogan and Malala Yousafzai, the activist for female education.
I would cook a slow roast brisket – a beef dish that is slow roasted in a pot with carrots and veg – so I wouldn’t have to worry about it too much and be able to talk to my guests.
What drinks would you serve?
RED wine... and I think I should now add in Paul Hollywood to my dream dinner party guests as he would bring a really good red wine.
What would be your favourite meal in front of the TV?
SOMETHING like scrambled eggs on toast or cheese on toast.
What are your favourite and most disliked flavours?
I LOVE coconut, and my husband John will often put a chocolate coconut bar in my bag.
I sometimes dread when I hear the word caramel as I find it too sweet, and I prefer salted caramel, but the bakers on the show always make it work.
What kitchen utensil could you not live without?
A JAPANESE metal plate like a griddle called a Teppanyaki –
you can grill anything on it.
What is your favourite music for baking?
KATE DIMBLEBY singing Dory Previn songs. They are beautiful ballads and very relaxing.
If you could travel back in baking time, when would it be and why?
I WOULD go back to medieval times, and I’d like to see four-and-twenty blackbirds flying out of a pie. In those days, they baked a pie and then when you cut into it the birds would fly out.
It was a great spectacle at special events.
If you were a dessert, what would it be?
I THINK a lemon meringue pie, so I would hope it would have a perfect pastry, be a bit tart and also sweet at the same time!
■ The final episode of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer can be seen on Channel 4 on Tuesday at 8pm. You can donate at channel4.com/su2c or sign up to fundraise at standuptocancer.org.uk with 100% of your donation going to Cancer Research UK in support of the Stand Up To Cancer campaign.