Q&A with David Morrissey

15 March 2023

Can you bake?
I can cook but I don’t really bake, cakes and pies are not my thing.

Describe your baking style in one word.
Haphazard.

What’s your favourite baked good?
I’ve always been partial to a pork pie.

Do you cook much in everyday life?
No, as I say I cook all the time, but baking is not something I do often.

What’s been your biggest culinary triumph?
I do a Shakshuka which always goes down well.

And your biggest disaster?
During Covid a friend of ours organised a Zoom cooking school and the task was to make a Battenburg Cake, at the end when everyone had to “present” I pretended my Wi-Fi had gone down. It looked like a dog’s breakfast.

Are you a fan of Bake Off?
Yes, I love Bake Off. I’ve been watching it for ages. That’s why I’m so chuffed to be on the show.

What’s it like, walking into the tent for the first time?
The main feeling when I walked into the tent was surprise at how cold it was. We filmed it during a particular cold snap and all the sides of the tent are open, I hadn’t dressed for warmth (none of us had) and so I was absolutely freezing for the whole time.

What aspect of the show were you most nervous about?
Cooking while being filmed and having to chat as well. Timing is everything and I was really worried I’d forget where I was in the process and also forget how long something was in the oven etc. I was also worried I’d swear during it as well. I can often shout the odd bad word when something goes wrong.

Have you sought advice from anyone ahead of the show?
I did talk to a mate of mine who did Stand Up To Cancer last year and he really put me at ease about how lovely the whole process was.

Have you done any practice?
Yes, I did practice and baked with some friends who can bake who gave me a few pointers.

What are the strengths and weaknesses you brought with you into the tent?
I think I just wanted to have a good time really and also to get from the beginning to the end. My main worry was having nothing to present. So, my strength was my attitude to having a good time and my weakness was my technical ability to actually be able to bake.

What’s it like being faced by Paul and Prue?
I was very nervous about facing Paul and Prue, but they couldn’t have been lovelier, likewise Matt and Noel. They really made you feel welcome, and I can tell from all the crew on the show that it’s a great gig to work on… well… I guess the doggie bags at the end of eat filming day are pretty special.

Why is Stand Up to Cancer important to you?
I don’t think there will be anyone in this country who has not had someone in their life affected by cancer. Being able to have some fun and also raise awareness and funds for a good cause was such a wonderful thing to be able to do.