Celebrity Bake Off star forced to drop out in show’s final moments

A Celebrity Bake Off star was forced to pull out of the Channel 4 show just after the showstopper challenge.

Tonight, TV presenter Gloria Hunniford, 85, actor Jim Howick, 45, comedian Jamali Maddix, 33, and model Ellie Goldstein, 23, entered the tent for the Stand Up to Cancer spin-off.

Under the guidance of new judge Lady Caroline Waldegrave, 72, who has replaced Dame Prue Leith, 85, on the celebrity version, and Paul Hollywood, 59, the four stars whipped up their best baking creation.

But just after completing the final round, Gloria exited the competition as she started to feel unwell.

Instead, co-presenter Noel Fielding, 51, stood in her place and received the feedback on her cake.

As they discussed the celebrities’ culinary talents, co-host Alison Hammond, 50, commented: ‘Such a shame that Gloria didn’t feel very well.’

Jim was ultimately crowned star baker.

In January, it was announced that Lady Caroline would be taking over from long-time friend Dame Prue on Celebrity Bake Off.

It came after Dame Prue revealed she was taking a break from the celebrity version to free up time for other passions.

However, she will remain as a judge on the original and US shows.

‘[The one] I’m not doing this year is the celebrity one and it’s mainly because these things are filmed back-to-back the whole way through the summer,’ Dame Prue said on This Morning in 2024.

She added: ‘You start in April, and you end in August and honestly, you get no time off. And so, I’m getting a bit old and there are places I want to go to and other things I want to do.’

Bake Off fans have praised Lady Caroline on X, with @Liabrx_73 sharing: ‘Welcome Caroline Waldegrave …a lovely addition to the GBBO family!’

When she first joined the show, @Joanring1 commented: ‘Great show. Well done Caroline on your Bake Off debut.👏.’

Lady Caroline and Dame Prue co-founded Leiths School of Food and Wine, one of the most prestigious and respected cookery schools in the country

The school’s former managing director, Lady Caroline retired in 2009 and became a non-executive director on the board and was also chairman of the Guild of Food Writers for several years.

Since then, she has ‘focused on imparting her wealth of cookery knowledge’ at Dudwell School, which is located on the site of her family home, Dudwell Field Farm. She’s also a director of the family’s organic dairy farm.

Over the years, Lady Caroline has appeared on TV shows including Chef School, MasterChef and Tricks of the Trade, and authored several cookbooks including Leith’s Cookery Bible.

Earlier this year, there was also concern Noel would not return to Bake Off after his Apple TV+ show, The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, was cancelled mid-production due to his ill health.

Although bosses were reported to have been hosting ‘crisis talks’, Noel’s representatives confirmed to Metro that he would be returning to the series as planned.

Other stars competing on Celebrity Bake Off this year include the creator of Chicken Shop Date Amelia Dimoldenberg, TV presenter and broadcaster Kate Garraway, Goodness Gracious Me star Meera Syal and comedian Phil Wang.

They are joined by podcaster Sarah Beeny, comedian Adam Buxton, sibling duo Scarlette and Stuart Douglas, Bafta winner Gbemisola Ikumelo and radio presenter Roman Kemp.

Completing the line-up are Dinnerladies icon Maxine Peake, broadcasting duo Chris and Rosie Ramsey, music artist Self Esteem, Derry Girls actor Tommy Tiernan and British actor Sophie Willan.

Celebrity Bake Off is available to stream on Channel 4.

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