How did the first batch of celeb bakers do?

NEWS
HOW DID THE FIRST BATCH
OF CELEB BAKERS DO?

Our first batch of celeb bakers for 2020 whipped us all into a frenzy from the very first 'On Your Marks, Get Set...Bake!' in episode one of The Great Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off. The four contestants were vying for baking perfection and above all, a Hollywood handshake.

LOVE ISLAND FAVE AND BASKETBALL LEGEND, OVIE SOKO, LEADS A PRE-GAME WARM UP

As a pro basketball player, Ovie was the first to limber up and turn the heat up on the tent. But did this give him the desired competitive edge? Starting with his half-complete basketball cookie, sadly Ovie didn't collect the coveted Star Baker prize.

Ovie chose to do the show because a team-mate lost his mother to breast cancer. He said: "It affects all of us. One of my best friends, who I played basketball with, he lost his mum at an early age, to breast cancer, and I saw how that affected him first-hand. We lived together for years, so I know how it can affect people. I think we all have a role to play when there’s something that hits the world as hard as cancer does."

BRITISH COMEDIAN, RUSSELL HOWARD, HAS A 'MARE

We might all think the tent is the stuff of dreams, but at times Russell felt as though the experience was more like a nightmare...But worth it. Taking on the Great Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off is important to Russell, "everyone’s been affected by cancer, either directly or indirectly. Anything that raises money towards trying to win that battle is a good thing to do. So if you flip out for an hour-and-a-half making a vanilla slice, and it makes people laugh, then great."

He kept us all entertained with his comedic attempts at baking and from where we were sitting, his sofa cake was certainly a unique take on the Showstopper.

TV GOD, LOUIS THEROUX, OR SHOULD WE SAY LOUIS THER-CHOUX CLAIMS FIRST HOLLYWOOD HANDSHAKE OF SERIES

Louis Theroux used the tried and tested approach of all good bakers who have graced the tent over the years. He kept a close eye on his bakes from the comfort of the floor, claiming "I like it when they do this on Bake Off, it looks like they really care." Louis, along with Jenny, got the first Hollywood handshake of the series for his 'pizza cookie', and definitely earned the new title Louis Ther-choux with his impressive choux pastries. It was clear that Noel and Sandi took a shine to him too - imitatation is the highest form of flattery after all!

Louis took part for three reasons: "One reason is because I’ve got a book out, and I’ve positioned it in the kitchen, and I’m holding it and using it to help me knead the dough and to prop up saucepans. I’m trying to get it into shot as much as possible. The second reason is to raise awareness and raise some funds for the fight against cancer. And the third reason, and maybe the real one, is that I’m a fan of the show and my family loves the show."

JENNY ECLAIR CROWNED STAR BAKER BY BAKE OFF JUDGES IN CHOUXSTOPPER SPECTACLE

Jenny Eclair wins the first official Star Baker title of the series, a cherry on the cake after receiving the first Hollywood handshake of the series for her Frida Kahlo biscuit. After a tense round in the tent, you could cut the custard with a spoon, but Jenny kept her cool and produced the goods with her extraordinary 'swimming with pigs' scene, described as 'a triumph' by Prue. Who knows, after being awarded Star Baker status, maybe Jenny really will open her own chain of 'Jenny's Eclairs'?

Whether you're a Star Baker like Jenny, or a have-a-go hero like Russell, why not host your own baking fundraiser?

Every last crumb will fund life-saving cancer research.

EMILY'S STORY 

A film about a young woman called Emily Hayward, who died from skin cancer, was also shown to remind viewers that the celebrities were baking in aid of Stand Up To Cancer. 
 

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Emily’s film showed clips of her experience that she recorded for her YouTube channel, highlighting her experience and the gruelling treatment she faced. Near the end of the film, Emily married her long term partner Aisha after learning her cancer was terminal. In the final heart-breaking moment, Aisha shares that Emily has passed away. Emily and her film quickly became a talking point.