Soggy bottoms and red noses stand side by side this week as Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood challenge another team of celebrities to get baking for Comic Relief. 

It’s the one time of the year that judges Mary and Paul can have a giggle at the contestants who are more used to whipping up an audience than the perfect cream pie. The celebrities may be

self-confident in their chosen fields, but put them in the tent, turn up the heat, and you soon see a very different side to them. 

“I love doing The Great Comic Relief Bake Off,” says Paul, 48.

Some of the celebrity bakers had baking knowledge under their belts

“There was a huge amount of banter, because the celebs are quite nervous. You’ve taken them out of their normal job, and you’ve thrown them in to a situation where they have to be

themselves, which is actually extremely difficult, but for us, fun to watch. It was crazy, but it was the most fun.”

Over the course of the final three weeks the likes of Victoria Wood, Michael Sheen, former PM’s Gordon Brown’s wife, Sarah, and David Mitchell will be standing by their ovens hoping for a

perfect bake.

Last week, Jennifer Saunders won star baker, beating off stiff competition from Joanna Lumley and Dame Edna Everage.

“Overall, I thought this year the celebrity bakers were brilliant,” Mary, 79, says. “I was most looking forward to meeting Joanna – I love her serious side as well as her humour.

“All of the celebrity bakers secretly wanted to do well, but some had baking knowledge under their belts. They put their heart and soul into the bakes. I most enjoyed judging the showstopper

challenges, although when they brought them to the table, sometimes it was difficult trying to keep a straight face.”

Paul found working with Dame Edna a particular challenge, but for all the right reasons. “There were literally tears of laughter rolling down my face when we filmed the episode with Dame

Edna,” he says.

This week, presenters Jonathan Ross and Gok Wan, Strictly winner Abbey Clancy and blogger Zoella are challenged to bake 24 cupcakes before constructing a marble cake in the shape of their

favourite British building. 

For Abbey the challenge began as soon as she entered the Bake Off tent. 

“My ability is very basic. My kitchen is not equipped for baking. I have no trays or scales, so that’s not the best start!” she smiles. “But I love cakes and baking with my daughter.” 

Gok was thrilled to present his Shard marble cake to Mary. “I love Mary,” he smiles. “I want to be her when I grow up.”

Jonathan really enjoyed the experience too, and having presented every Red Nose Day night of TV since 1988, it’s a cause close to his heart. Baking, however, takes a close second. 

“I love Bake Off. It’s a fantastic combination of human drama mixed with the real technical challenges of baking,” he laughs. “And of course, looking at all the delicious bread and cake is

always nice.”

Over the weeks different presenters will stand alongside Mary and Paul in the tent. Sue Perkins took centre stage in the first episode and this week Mel Giedroyc takes the helm, with fellow

comedians Jo Brand and Ed Byrne chipping in for the final episodes. 

While some celebrities may have learnt a little more about baking, for most it’s been a learning curve. Victoria Wood sums it up when she says, “I’d describe my baking ability as average. In

the past, I’ve made lots of horrible flat scones. My top tip? No one really likes cupcakes. They are the fur coat and no knickers of the baking world.”

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