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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Lisa McLoughlin

David Schwimmer reveals heartbreaking reason that caused him to sign up for Celebrity Bake Off

David Schwimmer has revealed he was inspired to sign up to The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer after the disease touched his family.

The actor, 56, explained that his grandmother as well as his ex-wife Zoe Buckman’s mother both passed away following brave battles with the disease, while his sister Ellie is a cancer survivor.

In footage obtained by The Mirror ahead of Sunday’s episode, the Friends star said he signed up to the celeb special to “raise more awareness” about the disease and much-needed funds for cancer research.

He said: “I lost a grandmother to cancer, my daughter lost a grandmother to cancer and my sister is a cancer survivor, so it’s important to me.

“I am just grateful I can help in any small way to raise more awareness.

“I am here to have fun. I am here to raise money for a great charity. It’s a great cause and I happen to be a massive fan of the show.”

The 2023 Celebrity Bake off stars (Channel 4/Love Productions/PA)

The TV star, who is best known for playing Ross Geller, married Zoe Buckman in 2010 and welcomed a daughter, Cleo, 11, together. Sadly, the pair split in 2017.

The Great British Bake Off recently released a first look picture ahead of their 2023 celebrity special in aid of Stand Up To Cancer.

This year’s line-up includes singer Jesy Nelson, TOWIE’s Gemma Collins, presenter Paddy McGuinness, Comedian Rose Matafeo, The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades and Strictly star Ellie Taylor.

Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas will co-host the show for the final time while judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood will return to give the celebrities’ performances a rigorous evaluation.

Together with Channel 4, Cancer Research UK has launched the national campaign Stand Up to Cancer, which has so far raised £93 million in the UK.

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