The star-studded lineup for the new Stand Up To Cancer celebrity edition of the Great British Bake Off has been announced.
And it’s a wild ride.
Bolton-born comedic actor and presenter Paddy McGuinness, radio and TV presenter AJ Odudu, Radio 1’s Adele Roberts, and actor David Morrissey are some of the North West names joining famous faces like Olympic diver Tom Daley, reality star Gemma Collins, former Little Mix member Jesy Nelson, Loose Women star Colleen Nolan, and Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden on the upcoming The Great Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off.
But while comics, reality stars, TV presenters, and British actors of varying fame levels are all who you’d expect to see a lineup like this, one famous face has really thrown people off – David Schwimmer.
Yes, that’s right. Whether you can believe it or not, the star of the most famous sitcom of all time, and everyone’s favourite wrongly-accused Blackpool corner shop cans thief, David Schwimmer, has laced up his apron and headed into the Bake Off tent.
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Say hello to our baking friends. Meet the stars hitting the Bake Off Tent to raise some dough for a very special cause!
What’s even more surprising is that the US actor, who is of course best-known for playing Ross Geller in Friends, was already supposed to have appeared in celebrity special of the hit Channel 4 baking reality TV show a few years back, but he had to pull out right of filming right at the last minute.
It comes after Schwimmer said in an interview that he’s a huge Bake Off fan.
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He told Radio Times back in 2020: “It’s competitive, but everyone’s so lovely with each other. It’s so not American!”
Finding out the now 56-year-old actor was a fan was what lead judge Paul Hollywood to naming Schwimmer as the celebrity he’d most like to see take part in the show after he had to back out of competing at the 11th hour.
David Schwimmer is on The Great Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off 2023 lineup / Credit: Channel 4 & Love Productions
After the lineup was unveiled yesterday, fans have been taking to social media to share their shock at Schwimmer’s unexpected inclusion.
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“You managed to get actual David Schwimmer? Ridiculous!!!” one fan wrote on Twitter.
Other people were more literal in their shocked reactions, with another fan simply tweeting: “DAVID SCHWIMMER!!!!!” and a third person commenting: “… and David Schwimmer!! Wait! What???”
Plenty of Friends jokes and references were also made, of course.
The Great Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off sees celebrity bakers enter Britain’s most famous tent and put their baking skills to the test as they tackle signature, technical, and showstopper challenges in a bid to be named Star Baker, while raising awareness and funds for cancer research and inspiring viewers to do the same.
The new series is set to air on Channel 4 later this year.
Featured Image – Channel 4
TV & Showbiz
Eurosport is shutting down all of its channels in the UK
Danny Jones
It’s the end of an era for one veteran broadcaster as Eurosport is set to switch off all its current channels after shutting down UK operations.
The veteran sports channel has been available on tellies in Britain for over 35 years but not for much longer as the European broadcaster – headquartered in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France and owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) – is set for a key restructure.
Known for showing everything from football, tennis, snooker and rugby, to cycling, touring cars; motorcycle racing, MMA and more, it’s provided some of the most well-rounded sports coverage on the planet for a generation and then some.
It’ll feel weird not seeing it on the TV guide anymore but fear not, because their programming isn’t disappearing completely – here’s why…
Sorry to see Eurosport will be no more in our part of the world from next month. Been watching since the early 90s and they did so much so well, including tons of football, athletics, tennis and winter sports that couldn’t be seen anywhere else. It was invaluable. pic.twitter.com/8iBieQ6aJ6
Although Eurosport is set to shut down next month, their existing coverage will be moving over to TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland.
Given that they’re also part of Warner Bros.’ global Discovery arm, TNT’s wide range of sports offerings just keeps getting bigger and better, having landed more and more Premier League fixtures, as well an increased number of European football and rugby fixtures, not to mention some major boxing matches.
While TNT used to have the Formula 1 too back when it was still BT Sport, they’ve also boasted exclusive MotoGP coverage since 2014, having the British Superbikes and World Superbike Championship also follow suit and join one big homogeneous roster does make sense.
However, it’s safe to say the decision hasn’t proved popular with everyone, mainly because of the uplift UK viewers will now have to shell out if they want to access the same content they were paying just £7 a month for.
As many long-standing Eurosport viewers were paying what was generally considered a reasonable fee to enjoy a handful of their sports, if they want to continue accessing those chosen favourites they will now have to pay more than four times the price for the privilege.
For decades, Eurosport has been providing a great service for fans of minority sports. And it was affordable. Now these Americans are closing it and hiding everything behind a much higher paywall. From £3.99/month to £30.99/month, an increase of 777%. Brilliant. pic.twitter.com/YVCVvjR37J
So, while Eurosport as we know it might be bidding farewell to one of its biggest and most loyal audiences, it isn’t gone forever for the brand and, to the truth, it isn’t really a goodbye as such – at least not for everyone.
The big question is, will you be one of those willing to pay for a new subscription in order to carry on watching watch Eurosport delivered for so many years?
Featured Images — Eurosport/TNT Sports
TV & Showbiz
What’s going down between Aitch and Central Cee?
Thomas Melia
The UK music world has been taken by storm over the weekend as two of the nation’s favourite rappers, Aitch and Central Cee are now feuding.
Pop culture wouldn’t be the same without its iconic feuds and what better way to resolve it than by the medium of… you guessed it, more music.
Aitch is one of Manchester’s most promising acts with hit songs like ‘Rain’ which features AJ Tracey, ‘My G’ a collaboration with Ed Sheeran and ‘Baby’ which samples Ashanti’s track of the same name.
Shepherd’s Bush born Central Cee has seen similar success, with songs like ‘Doja’, ‘Sprinter’ a joint stint with Dave and ‘Did It First’ where he shares a credit with Ice Spice.
Now, both artists are back in the spotlight as they’re firing shots at each other for all the world to see.
If Drake and Kendrick set the tone for the American rap game, Aitch and Central Cee are definitely front and centre in the UK scene.
Aitch and Central Cee: A Timeline
26 July 2020 – ‘Molly’
During his rise to fame, Central Cee understands the hard work and efforts that fellow rapper Aitch has put into his career, addressing it in one of his first releases titled ‘Molly’.
The rapper, also known as Cench, shouts out the Manchester star praising, “Man said 21 with a mill (Swear) / I need the same deal as Aitch’s”.
This is a direct reference to Aitch’s line in ‘Raw’, “Hands up if you made a mill before 21, gang (Gang, gang)”, which was only released two months prior in May 2020.
21 February 2022 – The Face Launch Issue 010
The two can be seen smiling it up in West Hollywood as both were invited and attended an exclusive launch party for British magazine The Face.
Cee can be seen sporting Italian luxury clothing brand, Moncler, while Aitch is dressed in a fit from American apparel company, Von Dutch.
This launch party celebrated Cench’s cover story and even warranted a performance from the London musician.
We can’t get pictures in the article but a quick google of ‘Aitch Central Cee The Face Launch’ will show you a few candids of the two stars.
Aitch wins ‘Best Hip Hop/ Grime Act’ at the 43rd edition of the UK’s biggest music award show, The BRITs, a category where Central Cee was also nominated.
The Manchester rap star received his award from footballer Declan Rice and the intro to ‘A Guy Called?’ incorporates the very moment when the Arsenal midfielder announced his victory.
10 March 2024 – ‘5 Star’ Snippet
Central Cee took to Instagram to reveal ‘New music after Ramadan.’ posting a selection of pictures in various locations such as the studio and even outside a shop window holding a crate of prime with KSI.
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The seventh slide in this photo dump is a voice memo which contains a snippet of ‘5 Star’, although at the time fans were none the wiser.
Both the UK stars attended the launch of famous burger chain Archie’s latest venture in the Trafford Centre, although not much is known on their interaction at the event.
In a video posted to the official Instagram account relating to the roller rink site ‘Archie’s Atomic’, it’s safe to say Aitch’s answer to ‘Freestyle or sing’ makes a lot of sense, following his latest track.
Much like ‘A Guy Called?’, it’s clear that Aitch really does love a good freestyle.
Just one day before the release of Central Cee’s debut album he achieved three nominations including ‘British Artist of the Year’, ‘Song of the Year’ and that infamous ‘Best Hip Hop/ Grime Act’.
24 January 2025– ‘5 Star’ and ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS’
2025 may have just began but the anticipation for this album has been high, especially since the first single for the record came all the way back in May courtesy of ‘Band4Band’, a link up with Lil Baby.
The latest single from ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS, Central Cee’s debut album is ‘GBP’ but the track that’s really got everybody talking is ‘5 Star’.
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Central Cee for latest record ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS’Credit: Sony Music
On the second track of the LP, Cench directly hits out at the Moston boy spitting “I felt like a prick when I went to the BRITs and they gave the award to a guy called Aitch”.
He doubles down on this in the following line explaining, “I had my acceptance speech prepared like, “Long live F’s”, I’m goin’ insane / And free all the guys inside of the cage”.
‘5 Star’ even calls back to the album’s title as in the chorus the London based rapper warns, “Should know that you can’t rush greatness / But you’re too impatient”.
24 January 2025 – ‘A Guy Called?’
Aitch didn’t waste any time as by 4pm the same day his reply was broadcast to the world and it addresses some cultural moments a lot of fans will remember, including previous relationships.
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One of the most prominent bars in the one-off single is “(Yo, uncs) We can go bar for bar, BRIT for BRIT, punch for punch (Bah)”.
Not only does this quote the BRIT award show, it also references and incorporates the same melody as Central Cee’s ‘Band4Band’.
Right after this, ‘A Guy Called?’ also fires shots at one of Cench’s closest companions, “All your songs get wrote by Clint”, an esteemed fashion designer and owner of streetwear brand Corteiz.
Aitch for previous single ‘Famous Girl’ released last year.
The artwork for the diss track shows some wall art which reads ‘The world via Manchester’ and in front of it, of course, is that all too important BRIT award figure.
To close the diss track he even samples Central Cee’s previously mentioned 2020 hit ‘Molly’ which kickstarted our great big UK rap beef timeline.
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Aitch’s Instagram post of this song which is captioned ‘Leave me alone.’ got a response from the man in question, Central Cee, who replied ‘Fair enough’ alongside a laughing emoji and a fire emoji.
There’s no cold shoulder here either as later on in the almost three minute long number Aitch reassures fellow feuder, “Little boy is just there to be spun, gettin’ mad at the BRITs, there’s bare to be won (On God)”.
25 January 2025 – Central Cee x Corteiz
One day after the release of his album and Aitch’s response ‘A Guy Called?’, Central Cee drops a limited edition tee which merges the title ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS’ with the usual Corteiz branding.
This isn’t verified by either party however with Aitch calling out the owner of Corteiz, Clint, it would be a perfect way for Central Cee to clap back at Moston’s finest.
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It’s so limited edition, the link to it on the website shows the shirt has already sold out.
Good thing Cench posted the design to his social media account surrounded by a crew of buddies all kitted out in the same in-demand streetwear including masks.
Or given how much Aitch loves to make a guest appearance wherever he can, there’s a possibility they could resolve their differences on stage in front of 23,500 fans.
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What’s next?
Everyone may be wondering what comes next, don’t worry we have no idea either!
What we do know is that both artists involved in this ‘beef’ which is playing out over social media are known for their much loved and well-recited melodies.
At the end of the day, these are two very respectable rappers and it can be so easy to get caught up in the drama and forget the reason everyone enjoys each artist, for their music.
Emily Sergeant -
8th February 2023 
