In the latest episode of Celebrity Great British Bake Off, Alison Hammond halted proceedings as she shared an update about show contestant, Gloria Hunniford. The Stand Up to Cancer special episode was shown on Sunday, April 13.
The television presenter and Loose Women panellist is one of many famous faces taking part in the Stand Up to Cancer spin-off. Other celebrities involved include Amelia Dimoldenberg, Kate Garraway and Roman Kemp.
Alongside Alison presenting were co-host Noel Fielding and judges Caroline Waldegrave and Paul Hollywood. The celebrities taking part were actor Jim Howick, TV presenter Gloria Hunniford, model Ellie Goldstein and comedian Jamali Maddix.
The show allows contestants to be in touch with their creative sides. One of their challenges was to create a cake that would reveal a deep secret of the celebrity. Gloria’s cake was created with her dad in mind, she created a ‘magician cake’ as a tribute to her dad who was a member of the magic circle.
However, before the end of the show Alison announced that the 85-year-old had taken ill and was forced to pull out of the show before filming had ended. Alison said: “Now before we start the judging we should mention the fact that Gloria is not here. She is not feeling very well but she wanted us to carry on anyway.”
Noel Fielding instead showed off Gloria’s creation, Paul praised the design as he said: “I like the concept. The concept is being executed really well.”
Caroline added “It’s a nice tribute to her father”, as Alison told the judges “Such a shame Gloria wasn’t feeling very well and wasn’t able to tell the story.”
Gloria has since revealed that she had suffered a “terrible fall” backstage and had to be quickly sent off to a hospital to be checked over. Speaking to The Mirror, she said: “I had a terrible fall at the end of the programme, so I never got to finish it.”
She shared her disappointment in not being able to continue the show: “It was a real shame that I missed being there for the showstopper because, unfortunately, I had a fall and ended up in hospital for some screening – but I was fine.
“And I wanted to say as well that I am a great, great supporter not only of the programme, which I adore but also of Stand Up to Cancer because not only, sadly, did I lose my gorgeous daughter to cancer but last year, very sadly as well, I lost my husband Stephen. So cancer is very foremost in our family in terms of support.”
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer will see many celebrities take on the challenge of baking. Each episode, four celebrities will be challenged to create their best bakes in the signature, technical and showstopper rounds. At the end of each episode just one celebrity will be crowned Star Baker.
The stars facing the Signature, Technical and Showstopper challenges this year are:
- Sarah Beeny – broadcaster, best-selling author, businesswoman and podcaster
- Adam Buxton – comedian
- Amelia Dimoldenberg – Broadcaster and creator of Chicken Shop Dates
- Scarlette and Stuart Douglas – sibling TV presenters and property experts
- Kate Garraway – TV presenter and broadcaster
- Ellie Goldstein – model, actor, author and change-maker
- Gloria Hunniford OBE – TV presenter, national treasure and TV royalty
- Jim Howick, actor and writer
- Gbemisola Ikumelo – actor, writer and director
- Roman Kemp – broadcaster
- Jamali Maddix – comedian and writer
- Maxine Peake – actress and writer
- Chris and Rosie Ramsey – record-breaking podcasters and broadcasters
- Self Esteem AKA Rebecca Lucy Taylor – singer, songwriter and actress
- Meera Syal – actress and writer
- Tommy Tiernan – comedian and actor
- Phil Wang – comedian
- Sophie Willan – actress, writer and comedian