James McAvoy was crowned the Star Baker as he competed against Olympian Kelly Holmes, comedian David Baddiel and singer Anne-Marie on Tuesday’s Great British Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer.
The actor, 41, impressed judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith as he prepared a unique Pina Colada snow leopard cake called Brendan, in honour of his 11-year-old son with ex-wife Anne-Marie Duff.
The main task saw the four stars cook a 3D marvel cake to represent themselves in animal form.
Truimph: James McAvoy was crowned the Star Baker on Tuesday’s Great British Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer
Also taking inspiration from His Dark Materials character Lord Asriel Belacqua, the screen star explained the significance behind his creation’s moniker, stating: ‘That’s my wee boy’s name, and he’s the best wee boy ever.’
Sportswoman Kelly, 50, chose to make a bear to reflect her ‘hard exterior and soft interior’, while songstress Anne-Marie, 29, baked a marbled monkey cake out of respect for her childhood nickname.
The athlete’s cake was infused with chilli, causing hilarious presenter Matt Lucas, 47, to joke: ‘You guys can’t see this, but the judges are currently on a commode.’
Funnyman David, 56, meanwhile, rustled up a Chairman Meow marble cake in tribute to his beloved pet.
Special: The actor, 41, impressed judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith as he prepared a unique Pina Colada snow leopard cake called Brendan, in honour of his 11-year-old son
Co-parents: The His Dark Materials star shares his only child with his ex-wife Anne-Marie Duff (pictured together in 2015)
Star-studded: The hunk competed against Olympian Kelly Holmes, singer Anne-Marie and comedian David Baddiel (pictured)
While all of their attempts surprised the panel, Hollywood star James reigned supreme as he was awarded the top prize.
On his win, the Shameless legend gushed: ‘I’m pretty delighted they thought it wasn’t a complete abomination. It must have been exceptionally tight between Kelly and I’, while his opponent joked: ‘Damn it!’
Rounding off the experience, Alarm hitmaker Anne-Marie said: ‘I’m really happy and I absolutely loved it’, before The Mary Whitehouse Experience star added: ‘I learned a lot about ganache!’
The show opened with the contestants creating a deep-filled sweet tart as part of the signature challenge.
Retired runner Kelly dedicated her Eton Mess tart to her late mother Pam, who passed away in 2017 from myeloma – a form of blood cancer.
TV and film star James claimed he was ‘terrified’ as he whipped up a raspberry and lemon meringue pie, after devouring a treat ‘I had with my missus when I was making one of the X-Men [movies], and we had a food fight.’
‘I’m terrified!’ TV and film star James whipped up a raspberry and lemon meringue pie
‘She wouldn’t believe I was doing this’: Retired runner Kelly, 50, dedicated her Eton Mess tart to her late mother Pam, who passed away in 2017 from myeloma – a form of blood cancer
Quirky spin: Funnyman David, 56, baked a cake called Revenge For His Mother’s Disappointing Desserts’ dessert – based off his mum Sarah’s tinned mandarins
Singer Anne-Marie made a banoffee tart
The cheeky Scotsman attempted to get the production team’s attention as he said: ‘The dough feels a bit wet’, before he quipped: ‘The silence is deafening’.
New York-born David baked a cake called Revenge For His Mother’s Disappointing Desserts’ dessert – based off his mum Sarah’s tinned mandarins – while singer Anne-Marie made a banoffee tart.
The celebrities were praised for their first attempts under the tent, but James was favoured above all, with Paul Hollywood, 55, insisting: ‘You’re so close to perfection’, before host Matt Lucas, 47, gave him a handshake.
For the technical challenge, they were required to make Prue Leith’s six buttermilk cheese scones with a butter of your their own making.
The judges tested their creations blindly, with James, Anne-Marie, Kelly and David being ranked from 1st to 4th.
Impressed by the screen star’s set of baked goods, restaurateur Prue, 80, complimented: ‘You’d pay a lot of money for that, it’s perfect.’
Across five episodes, the celebrities are doing their bit in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, a joint national fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.
Sarah Lazenby, head of formats and features at Channel 4, said: ‘What we all need right now is more joy.
Next up: For the technical challenge, they were required to make Prue Leith’s six buttermilk cheese scones with a butter of your their own making
‘Bake Off is serving up yet another dollop of fun courtesy of some very willing celebrities. We can’t promise a huge helping of baking inspiration, but we can deliver some much-needed laughs.’
Kieran Smith, executive producer of Bake Off creators Love Productions, said: ‘Bake Off is extremely proud to support Stand Up To Cancer.
‘It has been a difficult year for charities and we sincerely hope that this series will offer a lot of fun, but also some much-needed funds in the fight against cancer.’
Stand Up To Cancer has raised more than £62 million, funding 55 clinical trials and projects involving 11,000 cancer patients across the country, Channel 4 said.
Hilarious: The thespian kicked off the show with an uncanny impersonation of judge Paul