WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS
THE Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer kicked off with an all-star line-up.
The bakers had to tackle millionaire shortbread, raspberry topped vegan cakes and a 3D cake showstopper for their three challenges.
The contestants braving the tent last night were comedians Rob Beckett and Tom Allen, singer Alexandra Burke and Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley.
Here is Sandy Docherty’s verdict of week one’s episode, as she continues her weekly Telegraph & Argus column which will be online each Wednesday morning while the series is on.
Sandy took part in the 2015 series and is the child protection and welfare officer at Titus Salt School in Baildon.
Thanks for joining us for the return of The Great Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off. With times continuing to be tough, we hope the show has given you a few smiles tonight - and raised some dough for a great cause. ❤️❤️❤️ #GBBO pic.twitter.com/IBcJtNE9Ms
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) March 9, 2021
She said: “It was fun and light-hearted.
“They really were quite happy not to take themselves too seriously.
“It starts and ends with thinking about what it is ultimately all about; raising money for a serious subject.
“It was fun to watch. It was nice to see non-bakers pleased with getting praised for their baking.
“It’s nice to see these celebrities have then same emotions than everyone else when they bake. It’s nice to see them being really genuine.
“Tom Allen was very funny, very dry. His references for being a presenter on the Bake Off Professionals show was good.
“Matt Lucas was good, he handled it well on his own, with Noel Fielding away on paternity leave. He did a really, really good job.
She has the Eggs Factor! Congratulations to our fabulous Star Baker @alexandramusic! #GBBO pic.twitter.com/UdD44EaI2L
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) March 9, 2021
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Ella. Your bravery, strength and kindness is an inspiration to us all. ❤️ #GBBO pic.twitter.com/7MHRMp5a7a
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) March 9, 2021
“The Ella story that was shown and hopefully more money can be raised so more people can come through cancer.
“I really liked the three rounds of bakes that they did. It was good that they did a vegan option, as Daisy is vegan too.
“I loved the challenges. They were not so terrible at it. I’m glad they didn’t going too slapstick with it.
“I don’t like to watch them struggling so much that it goes too wrong. I like to see it going naturally wrong instead. We need to see them trying.
“I thought Rob’s caramel shortbread was fabulous. That was such a great idea. He was really, really chuffed.
“Alexandra was really well chosen as this week’s Star Baker.
“I’m looking forward to next week’s line-up now.”
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