Luton-born Stacey Dooley joins Great Celebrity Bake Off!

Luton-born Stacey is urging Bedfordshire bakers to turn up the heat on cancer and get creative in the kitchen
Stacey Dooley will join the bake off in Britain's most famous tent!Stacey Dooley will join the bake off in Britain's most famous tent!
Stacey Dooley will join the bake off in Britain's most famous tent!

‘The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer’ returns this March on Channel 4, with celebrities including documentary maker and author Stacey Dooley - who grew up in Luton.

As the Bake Off tent opens its doors again, foodies and fundraisers alike are being asked to don their aprons in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, the joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

Getting started is a piece of cake with a free kit to download full of tips, recipes and Covid-safe ideas on how to raise some serious dough for lifesaving research, such as staging an at home technical challenge.

People can take inspiration from a host of celebrities set to put their skills to the test alongside Stacey.

Other stars include BAFTA-winning actor James McAvoy, Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall, double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes, actor and comedian John Bishop, comedian Tom Allen, comedian Rob Beckett, actor Reece Shearsmith, singer-songwriter Anne-Marie and Girls Aloud's Nadine Coyle.

Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith said: “I always enjoy being part of these special episodes for Stand Up To Cancer and I hope the show will inspire viewers to give baking a try.

"One in two people born in the UK will get cancer in their lifetime, so it doesn’t matter if you aren’t a whizz in the kitchen, the important thing is raising money to help speed up research and save lives.”

Whether they’ve taken up baking in lockdown or their culinary creations are already hand-shake worthy, fans can also support the cause with striking new Star Baker themed merchandise available to buy from Stand Up To Cancer’s online shop and retailer Next.co.uk.

The range features everything Star Bakers knead to create their own signature style in the kitchen including an apron, oven gloves, a trio of tea towels and a mug.

Every year around 35,500 people are diagnosed with cancer in the East of England.

Stand Up To Cancer aims to get new cancer tests and treatments to people who need them the most and, since its launch in 2012, has raised over £62 million to fund 55 clinical trials and research projects across the UK.

To get involved with fundraising, visit here.

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