As The Great Celebrity Bake Off returns, a fresh batch of stars prepare to make dough – and more – for charity
Anew bunch of celebrity hopefuls put on their aprons and step into the famous tent for a new series of The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer.
The competition in aid of Channel 4 charity Stand Up To Cancer has seen many memorable moments over the years. Martin Kemp baked gingerbread versions of his band, Spandau Ballet in 2018 – then bit Tony Hadley’s head off! And Joe Sugg fainted in
2020 after cutting his finger.
This week sees the first batch of contestants: presenter Emma Willis, Taskmaster’s Alex Horne, The Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison and DJ Clara Amfo. Emma admits to being nervous about showing off her pastry skills – or lack of them.
“I kind of dabble with my kids and make cupcakes,” says the mum-of-three. “I can do a sponge, but that’s my limit. A big sponge, whack a bit of cream and jam in it, put some icing sugar on the top to make it look pretty, but that’s the extent of my baking skills.”
Practising at home hasn’t added to her confidence, either.
“The other day I tried to make something, and it absolutely just flopped and didn’t work. It was absolutely terrible. So I’m dreading having to do it, because it was a disaster! Standing in that tent is really overwhelming. You realise how much you shouldn’t be there, because you’re not good enough. But once you get started, you sort of ease into it a little bit.”
Wondering which challenge is likely to be the toughest,
The Voice UK host decides, “Bread, I think. Bread would be a shocker. Meringue would be pretty tricky. Some kind of pastry. All the things that are notoriously difficult. I’ve never made pastry, I’ve just bought it.”
We’ll have to tune in to see if Emma is in the mix for star baker!
The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer, Tuesday, 8pm, Channel 4