Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Celebrity Bake Off: Meet the contestants, from James McAvoy to Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall

Series will raise money for Cancer Research

Roisin O'Connor
Friday 29 January 2021 02:32 EST
Comments
Top left clockwise: Jade Thirlwall, James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley and Dizzee Rascal are all taking part in Celebrity Bake Off
Top left clockwise: Jade Thirlwall, James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley and Dizzee Rascal are all taking part in Celebrity Bake Off (Rex)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley, Dizzee Rascal and Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall are among the stars taking part in a celebrity edition of The Great British Bake Off.

Channel 4 is hosting a special edition of the baking competition to raise money for the charity Stand Up to Cancer.

An impressive lineup of names have been brought together for the show, from pop stars to Hollywood actors.

The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer will be five episodes long and air on Channel 4 this spring.

Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith and Matt Lucas will return to the tent alongside the celebrity bakers, who will carry out the traditional challenges: The Signature, the Technical and the Showstopper.

Here’s who you’ll be seeing in the Bake Off tent:

James McAvoy, known for a number of Hollywood blockbusters – most notably the X-Men franchise, as well as for his work in British TV and film – will be joined by Star Wars actor Daisy Ridley.

Little Mix star Jade Thirwall will have some company from the music industry in the shape of Girls Aloud’s Nadine Coyle, Alexandra Burke, Anne-Marie and Dizzee Rascal.

Comedian and actor John Bishop is taking part, along with presenter David Baddiel and comedian Tom Allen.

Double Olympic winner Dame Kelly Holmes and Paralympian Ade Adepitan MBE will represent the sporting world, while comedian Katherine Ryan will doubtless have everyone in stitches.

James McAvoy has got his apron on for charity
James McAvoy has got his apron on for charity (PA)

Other celebrity contestants are TV star Anneka Rice, documentary presenter Stacey Dooley, Radio 1 star Nick Grimshaw, and actor Reece Shearsmith.

Internet personality KSI joins the lineup, as does author, presenter and psychotherapist Philippa Perry, and comedian Rob Beckett.

Sarah Lazenby, Channel 4’s outgoing head of formats and features, said: “What we all need right now is more joy. Bake Off is serving up yet another dollop of fun courtesy of some very willing celebrities. We can’t promise a huge helping of baking inspiration, but we can deliver some much-needed laughs.”

You can donate to Stand Up to Cancer via the Channel 4 website. 100 per cent of your donation will go to Cancer Research UK in support of the Stand Up to Cancer campaign.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in