Who is Tom Allen? Meet the Great Celebrity Bake Off 2021 contestant and comedian
The comic has taken the leap from host to competitor.
There's an interesting addition to the celebs that are taking part in Celebrity Bake Off 2021 as one of them, Tom Allen, is the first famous face to compete after being a host on the show – he previously filled in for Noel Fielding on last year's Christmas special.
But even with his prior experience, Allen has some stiff competition from some huge names in the entertainment industry, including X-Men star James McAvoy, comedian David Baddiel and Little Mix singer Jade Thirwall.
Here's everything you need to know about Tom Allen, including where else you may have seen him...
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Who is Tom Allen?
Age 37
Job: Comedian
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Instagram: @jamesmcavoyrealdeal
Twitter: @tomindeed
Tom's star began to rise when he won the So You Think You're Funny contest back in 2005 and he has been a regular fixture on UK TV screens in recent years. The comedian has been the support act for some big names in UK comedy including Josh Widdicombe, Romesh Ranganathan and Michael McIntyre and he has dabbled in acting too - appearing in the movie Starter for Ten as well as many other TV projects.
As well as stepping in as a co-host for The Great Christmas Bake Off, Tom is also known to fans of the baking show for being a regular contributor on the spin-off show The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice. He also has a podcast, Like Minded Friends, with comedian Suzi Ruffell and has also worked in radio, writing two series of The Correspondent for BBC Radio 4.
Who will Tom Allen be competing against?
Going up against Tom in the iconic tent in his episode will be Star Wars star Daisy Ridley, comedian Rob Beckett, and pop star and West End veteran Alexandra Burke. Will Tom have what it takes to beat his opposition, and will his previous involvement in the show help him out? We shall soon find out!
What has Tom said about joining The Great Celebrity Bake Off?
Having seen many professionals walk into the tent you're probably wondering what made Tom go on Bake Off.
"I know! I just thought it was high time I put into practise all the things I’ve been learning on ‘Professionals’. And I thought, 'What better way to do it than on Celeb Bake Off?'” he explained.
"So, I was thrilled to come down here and put my natural expertise into play and show them how it’s done. Whether that’s actually going to be what happens or not I don’t know."
Out of all the other contestants, Tom thinks he has the most to lose when it comes to Bake Off being a presenter on one of the spin-off shows.
He said: "I’m under huge pressure, it’s a nightmare. But it’s for charity, you’ve got to do it! I imagine anyone I’ve ever been critical of on Extra Slice will very much enjoy any criticism I get from Prue and Paul. So, we’ll see, won’t we?"
The comedian is hoping his A* GCSE in food technology will come in handy, gushing: "I used to enjoy making a frangipane to impress people as a teenager."
We sure hope that'll be enough to get you Star Baker, Tom!
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer begins on Tuesday 9th March at 8pm on Channel 4. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide
