Who did Matt Lucas replace on Bake Off? Why did TV host don apron for Stand Up To Cancer celebrity special

Great British Bake Off co-host Matt Lucas swaps presenting for baking due to a last minute replacement in the show.

The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer will discover what it’s like to be in the firing line of the judges, and his fellow co presenter, Noel Fielding.

This is the fifth year the charity spin off series returns to Channel 4 with 19 celebrities competing for the coveted Star Baker apron.

But who did Matt Lucas replace, and who else is featuring in the series? Here’s what you need to know.

Who did Matt Lucas replace on Bake Off?

The Little Britain Star, 48, will be replacing Martine McCutcheon. On ITV’s Lorraine, Example revealed that Noel Fielding will be presenting the show on his own.

Example explained why Matt had to step in and said: “I was told it was me, Annie Mac, Ed Gamble, and Martine McCutcheon but then I got there and Martine McCutcheon wasn’t here! So I am pretty sure Matt Lucas jumped in at the last minute because obviously he was meant to be one of the presenters.

"I think fair play to him because a lot of people think he wanted to do this and he didn’t want to do it because he had had no preparation and he found out the morning we started filming."

Talking to Gemma Dunn for PA, Matt said on filling in for the missing baker: “(It’s) terrifying! I only found out just before. No time to prepare. Mind you, no time to worry, either!

When asked if he can bake, he said: “Wait and see!”

“My strengths generally are saying no when people ask me to compete in baking shows – one that failed me on this occasion!”

Despite baking biscuits for the first time, Lucas managed to gain a Hollywood Handshake from the judge, saying “His hands felt a bit coarse, like a builder’s".

Which other celebrities are baking for Stand Up To Cancer? 

There is an all star lineup, featuring:

• Comedian and creator of Taskmaster Alex Horne
• International broadcaster Annie Macmanus (better known as Annie Mac)
• Actor and children’s author Ben Miller
• Actor Blake Harrison
• Broadcaster Clara Amfo
• Award-winning comedian and podcaster Ed Gamble
• Singer-songwriter and UN environment ambassador Ellie Goulding
• TV presenter Emma Willis
• Singer-songwriter Example
• Choirmaster and broadcaster Gareth Malone
• Actress Katherine Kelly
• TV presenter Laura Whitmore
• Actor, writer and comedian Mawaan Rizwan
• Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah
• Judge, presenter and dancer Motsi Mabuse
• Comedian, writer and TV presenter Ruby Wax
• TV presenter Sophie Morgan
• Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman
• Comedian and musician Yung Filly

What will the series look like?

The celebrity studded series will air in five episodes, with four stars entering the tent each week. Every week, they will compete in three rounds: the Signature, the Technical and the Showstopper challenges.

Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith will rate their creations in order to award the week’s star baker.

The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer airs on Tuesdays at 8pm.