The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer has officially unveiled its complete line-up of celebrity contestants, featuring a mix of television personalities, musicians, and influencers. This special series, dedicated to raising funds for cancer research, will also introduce a brand-new guest judge making their debut on the show.
A Star-Studded Cast Takes on the Tent
The famous faces set to battle it out in the iconic Bake Off tent include American singer and Dance Moms star JoJo Siwa, who gained popularity in the UK after her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother. She will be joined by Love Island star and mega-influencer Molly-Mae Hague, as well as former Geordie Shore and Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison.
Other notable contestants include Radio 2 Breakfast show host Scott Mills, singer-songwriter Rag'n'Bone Man (real name Rory Graham), JLS singer Aston Merrygold, Kin actor Emmett J Scanlan, broadcaster Edith Bowman, and Death in Paradise's Ralf Little. The line-up also features a strong comedic presence with Joe Wilkinson, Babatunde Aleshe, Jon Richardson, and others set to appear.
New Guest Judge Joins the Panel
In an exciting development, Bake Off: The Professionals star Cherish Finden will step into the tent as a guest judge for the Stand Up To Cancer specials. Cherish, an internationally renowned pastry chef, expressed her delight at joining Paul Hollywood in judging the celebrities. She noted that while she brings her precision from the professional kitchen, the focus is on spreading joy and supporting a meaningful cause.
Cherish shared, 'Stepping from the professional kitchen into the famous Bake Off tent felt like my first day of school – my heart was racing and I had butterflies in my tummy!' She emphasised that judging these celebrities is about more than just technical skills; it's about encouraging them as they push beyond their comfort zones for a good cause.
Returning Hosts and Judges
Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood will be joined by Cherish Finden, with hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding returning to offer support and humour to the contestants. The celebrities will face the classic Bake Off challenges: Signature, Technical, and Showstopper, with one star being crowned Star Baker each episode.
This announcement comes amid changes to the main Bake Off series, as Prue Leith recently confirmed her departure after nine years as a judge. Nigella Lawson has been announced as her replacement, admitting she feels 'really frightened' about taking on the role, given the legacy of previous judges like Mary Berry and Prue Leith.
Nigella Lawson's New Role
Nigella Lawson, known for her cookery programmes such as Nigella Express, discussed her new judging position on This Morning. She highlighted her approach of looking for pleasure rather than fault, contrasting with Paul Hollywood's technical focus. 'I'm not someone who looks for fault, I look for pleasure – that is my basic attitude in life,' she said.
Despite her experience as a judge on shows like MasterChef Australia, Nigella acknowledged her nervousness, joking about her clumsy nature potentially causing chaos in the tent. She confirmed that filming for the new series will begin soon, though an exact start date remains under wraps.
Supporting a Vital Cause
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer is set to air on Channel 4 this spring, bringing together entertainment and philanthropy. With a diverse line-up and new judging dynamics, the series promises to deliver both baking triumphs and heartfelt moments, all in aid of cancer research.
