Mo Gilligan to make Great British Bake Off debut tonight

Despite once burning his mum's kitchen down, the comedian will be putting his baking skills to the test on Channel 4

BAKE OFF: Mo Gilligan

COMEDIAN MO Gilligan will make his Great British Bake Off debut this evening.

The star’s baking abilities will be put to the test alongside those of presenter Carol Vorderman, TV judge Rob Rinder, also know as Judge Rinder, and TV personality Kelly Brook in a celebrity special.

For those wondering how well he’s likely to fare, Gilligan, who has admitted he hasn’t practiced, had this to say about his skills in the kitchen: “Out of ten, I’d give myself a five. Because I can cook, but I can’t bake. So I’m definitely a baker who’s still learning.”

He added: “I once burned my mum’s kitchen down! It didn’t actually ‘burn’ burn down, but it caused a lot of smoke damage.”

In tonight’s episode, as with every other in the five-part series, the four celebrities will battle it out over three rounds – The Signature, The Technical and The Showstopper – in a bid to be crowned star baker and walk away with the coveted star baker apron.

FUNNY MAN: Mo Gilligan fans can find out how well he does tonight

Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood will meticulously judge each contestant’s bake, while Bake Off hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig will be on hand to provide tea and sympathy for the celebrity bakers.

Despite having a lot to learn when it comes to baking, the important cause meant agreeing to take part was an easy choice for Gilligan.

He said: “I have a lot of young people following who watch my stuff, and if I can get more of them to talk about cancer, think about cancer and raise awareness, that’s great. Because it can happen to anyone, young or old, rich or poor. 

“So I’m proud of being part of this great cause to raise awareness. I had an uncle who passed away from cancer not so long ago and that’s the thing isn’t it? Everyone knows someone who has had cancer. Cancer doesn’t discriminate who it affects.”

Good cause

The celebrity special is in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Since its launch in the UK in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer, the joint national fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, has raised over £62 million to date funding 52 clinical trials and projects involving 11,000 cancer patients across the country.

Past competitors include Big Narstie, Olympic champion boxer Nicola Adams and athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Paralympic athlete Kadeena Cox and singer Ella Eyre.

While Big Narstie has experience on the show, Gilligan never intended to ask his friend and co-presenter for advice.

“He wouldn’t be the best person for advice. I didn’t get any advice from him, and if I had, I don’t think I would have taken it,” he said.

Gilligan rose to fame after his funny videos became a hit across social media.

During lockdown he has continued to keep fans entertained with his short sketches on Instagram and the Quarantine Games, an interactive experience via Instagram Live.

The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer airs on Channel 4 at 8pm.

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