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The Great British Bake Off has returned to our screens, with four special programmes for charity Comic Relief.
In each episode, four different celebrities battle it out in the Bake Off tent in an attempt to raise money for Comic Relief – and to win the coveted Comic Relief Star Baker apron.
Sue Perkins presented the opening episode last week, which aired on Wednesday February 11 at 8pm on BBC1. The first celebrities to enter the Bake Off Tent were ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ actresses Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, singer Lulu and Australian treasure Dame Edna Everage.
They took on three challenges set by cookery writer Mary Berry and acclaimed Master Baker Paul Hollywood, who also judged and tasted their efforts. The first challenge was to make a giant cookie or biscuit. The technical challenge was one of Mary’s recipes – 12 mini fruit tarts – and the show-stopper challenge was a tiered chocolate cake inspired by a memorable occasion. The heat was won by Jennifer Saunders.
Meanwhile, comedian Ed Byrne visited a Comic Relief-funded project in Uganda to meet street children who are being helped by donations to the charity.
In the second episode, which airs tonight (Wednesday February 18) at 8.30pm on BBC1, presenter Mel Giedroyc welcomes four more celebrities to test out their baking expertise: YouTube sensation Zoella, chat show host Jonathan Ross, fashion expert Gok Wan and model Abbey Clancy.
The four bakers tackle a traditional recipe in the signature challenge (24 cupcakes), struggle with a technical bake (20 profiteroles) and flaunt their creative skills in the show-stopper challenge (a marble cake inspired by their favourite building).
Ed Byrne visits another Comic Relief-funded project in Uganda: a hospital where babies are being vaccinated against deadly diseases thanks to money raised by Comic Relief.
In the third episode, which airs on Wednesday February 25 at 8pm on BBC1, Jo Brand welcomes four more celebrities: campaigner Sarah Brown (wife of the former prime minister), comedian David Mitchell, Hollywood actor Michael Sheen and Radio 1 DJ Jameela Jamil.
The nervous bakers get off to a crumbly start in the signature challenge (24 portions of shortbread), face one of Paul’s recipes in the technical challenge (six mini pork pies) and put their unique stamps on the show-stopper bake (triple-tiered pavlova with fruit).
Rounding off the series, in the fourth episode on Wednesday March 4 at 8pm on BBC1, are presenter Chris Moyles, comedians Victoria Wood and Kayvan Novak, and presenter Alexa Chung.
Each week Paul and Mary will pick a star baker, before the four winners battle it out to be crowned Champion of Champions in a special version of the show entitled ‘The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice’ which airs on Red Nose Day itself: Friday March 13.
