Channel 4’s The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer sparked a wave of viewer concern over hygiene standards just minutes into its latest episode on Sunday, April 12. The star-studded lineup included Emmett J Scanlan, Mark Wright, Nella Rose, Mutya Buena, and Ralf Little, who took on a variety of baking challenges from pull-apart savoury rolls to vegan fruit tarts, culminating in a cake inspired by their most extravagant purchase.
While the show’s heartwarming purpose and judging panel, featuring guest judge Cherish Finden alongside Paul Hollywood, Noel Fielding, and Alison Hammond, won praise, fans quickly turned their attention to a less appetizing detail: kitchen hygiene.
Viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice repeated concerns that none of the contestants tied their hair back or wore hair nets during baking. One viewer questioned the lack of hygiene standards, tweeting, “Is there no hygiene standards on #GBBO?” Others echoed this sentiment, asking, “Why has no one told them to tie their hair back?”
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Additionally, some viewers were unsettled by the long acrylic nails of YouTuber Nella Rose and Sugababes singer Mutya Buena. Comments ranged from doubts about how they could manage baking with such nails, to expressions of discomfort, with one viewer admitting, “The nails make me feel sick.”
Despite these criticisms, the episode’s celebrity cast received plenty of praise for their participation. Prior to airing, Channel 4 shared enthusiastic reactions from fans eager to see their favourite stars return. Excited viewers celebrated the pairing of Nella Rose and Alison Hammond and highlighted Mutya Buena’s previous cooking experience on Celebrity MasterChef.
This season also features a diverse cast including pop sensation JoJo Siwa, Love Island’s Molly-Mae Hague, TV personality Vicky Pattison, singer Rag’n’Bone Man, and JLS star Aston Merrygold. Together, the celebrities bake to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, adding a meaningful dimension to the entertainment.
The latest series of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer is available to watch on Channel 4’s online platform.