The Great Celebrity Bake Off makes its highly anticipated return to Channel 4 today, March 22, in support of the Stand Up To Cancer charity. This new series features a fresh dynamic with the addition of esteemed judge Cherish Finden, joining the iconic tent alongside host Alison Hammond and veteran judge Paul Hollywood.
Alison Hammond's Verdict on the New Judge
Alison Hammond, the beloved 51-year-old presenter of The Great British Bake Off, has openly shared her positive impressions of Cherish Finden. Hammond described Finden as a natural fit for the Celebrity Bake Off family, highlighting her immediate comfort in the tent.
"Cherish got on brilliantly," Alison remarked. "She fitted into the tent straight away and felt like a very natural addition to the Celebrity Bake Off family. She was a really good laugh, too – very calm, very warm and great with the celebs when they were panicking."
Paul Hollywood's Admiration for Cherish Finden
Paul Hollywood, the 60-year-old baking expert, echoed Alison's sentiments, praising Cherish Finden for her professional expertise and straightforward approach. Hollywood commended her as one of the country's top pastry chefs, expressing privilege in working alongside her.
"Cherish is amazing. We got on really well. She's so sweet...she's one of the best pastry chefs in the country. To work alongside her was a real privilege," Paul stated.
He further elaborated on her judging style, noting her candid feedback to the celebrity contestants. "She was honest with them. Brutally honest sometimes, but it worked really well. She's so good at what she does," Hollywood added.
Cherish Finden's Background and Approach
Cherish Finden, born in Singapore and trained as a pastry chef after moving to Britain, has been a judge on Bake Off: The Professionals since 2016. Despite her experience, Alison Hammond mentioned that Cherish experienced "a few nerves at first," but the team ensured she felt welcomed immediately.
Her serious and honest approach to evaluating the celebrities' creations has been noted as a standout feature of the new series.
Paul Hollywood's Surprising Culinary Confession
In a separate revelation, Paul Hollywood recently made a surprising admission about his affection for a popular pastry. Speaking to the BBC in January, he confessed to having a soft spot for yum yums, a treat associated with the bakery chain Greggs.
"I've got a soft spot for yum yums," Hollywood said. Despite this fondness, Greggs confirmed he has never visited one of their branches.
He explained, "I've been in Greggs. I've never been in a Greggs. In the 80s my dad had bread shops which were exactly the same as Greggs, so Greggs have just ripped my dad off. We used to make pies, cream cakes, sandwiches. Everything was fresh, soups. Yeah, I mean, it's not a new thing, Greggs, but I mean, I've actually never been in one. I need to try one."
Celebrity Line-Up and Broadcast Details
The new series of The Great Celebrity Bake Off features an impressive roster of 24 celebrities from various fields, including entertainment, reality television, music, broadcasting, and comedy. Notable participants include:
- Comedian Joe Wilkinson
- Reality TV stars Vicky Pattison, Molly-Mae Hague, and Mark Wright
- Singer Aston Merrygold
- Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills
The show is scheduled to air at 7:40 PM on Channel 4. Alongside Paul Hollywood, Alison Hammond, and Cherish Finden, co-host Noel Fielding will also be present in the iconic Bake Off tent, guiding the celebrities through their baking challenges.
This series promises to blend heartfelt charity support with entertaining culinary competitions, enhanced by the fresh perspective of Cherish Finden and the candid insights from Alison Hammond and Paul Hollywood.
