The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer made its highly anticipated return to Channel 4 on Sunday, introducing a fresh face to the judging panel. Celebrity Bake Off judge Cherish Finden made her debut on the hit programme, stepping into the tent as Joe Wilkinson was crowned the first Star Baker of the new season.
A New Judge Takes the Stage
Cherish Finden's arrival follows the departure of Prue Leith from the main series after nine seasons, with Nigella Lawson having already stepped into that role. Host Alison Hammond introduced Cherish as a 'very special' guest judge, and she wasted no time in making her mark. From the outset, Cherish brought a playful and cheeky energy, quickly endearing herself to both the contestants and viewers with a series of X-rated jokes that left everyone in stitches.
Comedians Return to the Tent
The premiere episode featured a lineup of returning comedians, each vying for baking glory. The contestants included Joe Wilkinson, Roisin Conaty, Rose Matafeo, Judi Love, Tom Davis, and Jon Richardson. They first tackled the Signature challenge, which required them to create breakfast pastries. Rose Matafeo impressed judge Paul Hollywood so much that she earned a coveted Hollywood handshake, a rare honour in the Bake Off tent.
Risqué Remarks and Baking Triumphs
However, it was Cherish Finden's unfiltered commentary that stole the show. When discussing Tom Davis's dish, she remarked, 'I like his sausage, I thought his sausage was really tasty.' This prompted a surprised 'I'm sorry?' from Paul Hollywood and a playful 'You like his sausage?' from co-host Noel Fielding. Cherish laughed it off, saying, 'No, you know what I mean.' Not to be outdone, host Alison Hammond added her own cheeky line, stating, 'Thank you, Tom - I'd eat your sausage all day long.'
For the Technical challenge, Cherish set the bakers the task of creating matcha and yuzu biscuits. Jon Richardson excelled in this round, coming in first place. As the episode neared its conclusion, Noel Fielding asked Cherish if she had enjoyed her time on the show. She responded warmly, saying, 'I've had a great time. He is a master-baker.' Noel couldn't resist a double entendre, replying, 'A what?' before joking, 'A couple letters out,' leaving the cheeky innuendo unmistakable.
Joe Wilkinson Crowned Star Baker
As the episode drew to a close, Joe Wilkinson was named Star Baker, having impressed the judges with all three of his dishes. Expressing his shock, Joe said, 'Wow, I'm shocked. First person to win the baking twice, wow. I thought there would be more of a party atmosphere.' Paul Hollywood praised his consistency, noting, 'Joe won Star Baker as he was certainly the most consistent baker over the three challenges. You can tell he's a decent baker. Very, very good.'
Cherish's Enthusiasm for the Role
Ahead of her debut, Cherish Finden shared her excitement about joining the show. She stated, 'I'm delighted to be joining Paul in judging Celebrity Bake Off for SU2C.' She added, 'Whilst I definitely haven't left my ruler at home, judging these wonderful celebrities is about more than just precision, it's about spreading joy and supporting a meaningful cause.' Her comments highlight the show's dual focus on entertainment and charity, as it raises funds for Stand Up to Cancer.
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer is now available to stream on Channel 4, offering viewers a mix of baking prowess, celebrity humour, and heartfelt moments for a good cause.
