Celebrity Bake Off 2026 Unveils Star-Studded Lineup

The ovens are heating up and the tent is prepped: The Great British Bake Off is back with a star-studded celebrity special in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, and this year’s line-up promises more than just soggy bottoms and showstopper triumphs. On February 4, 2026, Channel 4 confirmed that 24 celebrities from across the worlds of music, television, comedy, and sport will be rolling up their sleeves for the beloved charity event, all hoping to impress judges Paul Hollywood and the newly appointed Cherish Finden.

While the official air date remains under wraps, anticipation is already at a fever pitch. The celebrity edition has long been a highlight for Bake Off fans, blending the heart and humor of the main series with the unpredictability of famous faces far outside their comfort zones. This year, the line-up is as eclectic as ever, and the stakes are high—not just for culinary glory, but for raising awareness and funds in the fight against cancer.

Among the big names set to don aprons are Love Island alum and influencer Molly-Mae Hague, who shared her excitement on social media, calling her participation "one of the best experiences of my life" and a "dream come true." According to Evoke, Molly-Mae, who often bakes for her daughter Bambi, gushed, "Being on one of my favourite shows EVER, while raising awareness for such an important cause was beyond special. I can’t wait for you guys to see the show. Thank you Bake Off for making a dream of mine come true."

Joining her is American pop star and internet sensation JoJo Siwa, the only U.S. contestant in this year’s batch. Siwa, fresh from her stint on Celebrity Big Brother, was thrilled to take part, sharing on Instagram, "Middle of last year I was asked to be a part of one of the most iconic shows in the world…. @britishbakeoff!" She continued, "The experience was so cool, and truly lives up to the expectation! I’m so very excited for you all to see the disaster/masterpiece of me baking." Fans, as reported by Parade, were equally delighted, with one commenting, "Whoever booked JoJo Siwa is a legend."

The rest of the line-up is a who’s-who of British entertainment. Comedians Joe Wilkinson, Babatunde Aléshé, Richard Herring, Tom Davis, Jon Richardson, and Roisin Conaty will likely bring as many laughs as they do cakes. TV and radio personalities Vicky Pattison, Scott Mills, and Edith Bowman are set to join the fray, as are musicians Rag’n’Bone Man (Rory Graham), Mutya Buena, and Aston Merrygold. Reality TV is well represented with Mark Wright and YouTuber Nella Rose, while actors like Rose Ayling-Ellis, Ralf Little, Ambika Mod, and Ireland’s Emmett J. Scanlan round out the roster. Presenters Judi Love, Alex Brooker, and Sam Thompson add even more flavor to the mix.

According to Evoke, new judge Cherish Finden is eager to bring her precision and passion to the tent, having previously made her mark on Bake Off: The Professionals. "I am delighted to be joining Paul in judging Celebrity Bake Off for SU2C. Stepping from the professional kitchen into the famous Bake Off tent felt like my first day of school – my heart was racing and I had butterflies in my tummy!" she said. "Whilst I definitely haven’t left my ruler at home, judging these wonderful celebrities is about more than just precision; it’s about spreading joy and supporting a meaningful cause. To be part of SU2C and see the contestants push themselves out of their comfort zone for such a good cause was simply brilliant."

Prue Leith’s departure from the show marks a changing of the guard, with Cherish Finden taking over for the celebrity special and Nigella Lawson set to join the main series later this year. But familiar faces remain: Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding will return as hosts, ready to offer support, comic relief, and the occasional shoulder to cry on when a bake goes awry.

Channel 4 has teased that the special is "coming soon," likely to air in spring 2026, but fans will have to wait a little longer for an official start date. If tradition holds, the show will feature the classic trio of Signature, Technical, and Showstopper challenges, testing the celebrities’ skills (and nerves) in equal measure.

For many of the contestants, the Bake Off tent is a world away from their usual stage or studio. As Parade notes, JoJo Siwa humorously warned fans to expect a "disaster/masterpiece" from her efforts, while Molly-Mae Hague admitted she tried to "play it cool" but the Bake Off superfan in her never wanted the experience to end. The camaraderie among the cast is already evident, with behind-the-scenes photos showing flour-dusted smiles and plenty of laughter.

While the main series of The Great British Bake Off is known for its grueling application and filming process—seven-page forms, technical bakes, and weekend-long shoots, as detailed by Hits Radio—the celebrity special is all about fun, friendship, and fundraising. That’s not to say the competition won’t be fierce; with so many performers and personalities in one tent, the judges can expect both creative bakes and a few spectacular mishaps.

Behind the scenes, the production is a well-oiled machine. Filming typically compresses hours of baking into a tightly edited hour, with contestants supported by a dedicated crew (who, as insiders reveal, get to sample the cakes after judging). The show’s roots in traditional British village fetes remain strong, with its emphasis on community, friendly rivalry, and the simple joy of baking for a good cause.

As viewers await the official premiere, the buzz around this year’s celebrity special is already building. The combination of beloved Bake Off traditions, a fresh judging perspective, and a line-up packed with talent and charm ensures that the 2026 Stand Up To Cancer special will be a must-watch event. Whether the bakes rise or fall, one thing’s for sure: this year’s tent will be full of heart, humor, and hope.

As the tent doors prepare to open, fans can look forward to a unique blend of star power, baking blunders, and heartfelt moments—all in support of a cause that touches so many lives.