TV

Celebrity Bake Off has got Channel 4 bosses ‘in a panic’

It's getting in-tents

Channel 4’s first series of Great British Bake Off has won plenty of plaudits.

From the banter between the hosts, to the seamless way that Prue Leith has filled Mary Berry’s shoes and even Noel Fielding’s shirts, it’s been a hit all round.

And viewers have agreed, with Channel 4 delighted that the show is proving to be a ratings winner.

However, supremos have admitted fears for the upcoming Celebrity version of the show.

The Sun reports that they are “panicking” over the calibre of celebrity they’re going to be able to attract for a few days in the tent.

A TV source apparently said: “They are terrified that they’ll be forced to cast C-list dregs from reality shows at this rate.

“It has come as a bit of a shock as the previous standard for celebrity specials was really high, with prestigious politicians, pop stars and even Hollywood names desperate to show off their baking prowess.”

Read more: Phillip Schofield slammed by This Morning viewers for being a “bad sport”

The show will be used to raise money for Stand Up 2 Cancer, but the only celebrity so far confirmed to be entering the tent is Scottish politician Ruth Davidson.

Previous stars who have appeared on the BBC’s charity specials – which have raised cash for Comic and Sport Relief – include Samantha Cameron, Will Young, Louise Redknapp and Hollywood actor Michael Sheen.

And even Dame Edna Everage appeared in The Great Comic Relief Bake Off in 2015.

Meanwhile, rumoured celebs to be entering this year include Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, heir to the McVities biscuit fortune.

In the civilian version of the show, fans were dismayed this week to see popular youngster Liam booted out.

While Katy lived to bake another day, despite another rocky week in the tent.

Read more: Bake Off’s Prue Leith has been banned from taking part in Dancing On Ice

And frontrunner Stacy also survived, despite her oven door coming off its hinges at a crucial moment.

We’ve no doubt the producers of the show will be able to wrangle up some interesting celebs in good time – but they’ll have to go some way to top Sam Cam’s showstopper!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor