Entertainment

What you need to know about the 20 celebrities competing on Bake Off

James McAvoy and Stacey Dooley lead the star-studded line-up.
James McAvoy and Stacey Dooley lead the star-studded line-up.

Here is what you need to know about the 20 celebrities taking part in this year’s The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer.

– James McAvoy

The Golden Globe-nominated actor played a young Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series and most recently appeared as Lord Asriel in the BBC adaptation of His Dark Materials.

– Daisy Ridley

(Channel 4/Love Productions) (Mark Bourdillon 07831605033/© Mark Bourdillon)

Best known for starring as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Ridley is set to appear in upcoming science fiction thriller Chaos Walking alongside Tom Holland.

– Dame Kelly Holmes

The retired middle distance athlete specialised in the 800 metres and 1500 metres events and won gold for both at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

– John Bishop

(Channel 4/Love Productions) (Mark Bourdillon 07831605033/© Mark Bourdillon)

Liverpool-born comedian and actor Bishop was recently cast as a companion in Doctor Who.

– Stacey Dooley

After making a name for herself fronting investigative documentaries for the BBC, Dooley won Strictly Come Dancing alongside professional dance partner and now-boyfriend Kevin Clifton.

– Tom Allen

The comedian will make his debut as a competitor in the tent after hosting Bake Off: The Professionals and featuring regularly on the spin-off Extra Slice.

– David Baddiel

(Channel 4/Love Productions) (Mark Bourdillon 07831605033/© Mark Bourdillon)

Best known for his comedy partnership with Frank Skinner and for writing the football anthem Three Lions, Baddiel is also a published author and has been outspoken on the issue of anti-Semitism.

– Jade Thirlwall

The Little Mix star found fame on The X Factor in 2011 and her girl band have become one of the country’s biggest-selling.

– KSI

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YouTube and rapper KSI, whose real name is Olajide William “JJ” Olatunji, has more than 22 million subscribers on the video platform and last year released his debut album.

– Ade Adepitan

Having survived polio as a child, Adepitan went on to compete as a wheelchair basketball player at international level before moving into presenting.

– Philippa Perry

The renowned psychotherapist is known for her books, which include How To Stay Sane, and her documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4.

– Nick Grimshaw

(Channel 4/Love Productions) (Mark Bourdillon 07831605033/© Mark Bourdillon)

Known as Grimmy, the television and radio presenter has hosted a range of shows on BBC Radio 1.

– Rob Beckett

Best known for his comedy partnership with Romesh Ranganathan, Beckett’s credits include panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats and narrating the reality series Celebs Go Dating.

– Alexandra Burke

Burke won the fifth series of The X Factor in 2008 and has since released hits including Hallelujah and Broken Heels.

– Anneka Rice

Rice became a household name nearly 40 years ago on Channel 4’s game show Treasure Hunt. She launched her own series, Challenge Anneka, in 1989.

– Reece Shearsmith

The actor and writer was one of the brains behind cult sketch show The League Of Gentlemen and also co-created comedy series Psychoville.

– Dizzee Rascal

(Channel 4/Love Productions) (Mark Bourdillon 07831605033/© Mark Bourdillon)

Considered one of the pioneers of the grime music genre, the east London rapper released his debut album Boy In Da Corner in 2003.

– Anne-Marie

Pop star Anne-Marie, from Essex, has worked with artists including Clean Bandit and Sean Paul.

– Nadine Coyle

As part of Girls Aloud, the Irish singer scored four number one singles and two number one albums.

– Katherine Ryan

(Channel 4/Love Productions) (Mark Bourdillon 07831605033/© Mark Bourdillon)

The Canadian comedian and actress is a regular face on shows including Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You and recently starred in her own Netflix series, The Duchess.