Celebrity guests on Your Face or Mine charity specials accused of ‘raking in thousands in fees’ after row over Bake Off Stand Up To Cancer pay
THERE is a fresh row over celebrity pay, after it was revealed that star guests “raked in thousands” for appearing on charity editions of Your Face or Mine.
This latest news follows on from The Sun revealing how the Great British Bake Off judges and presenters took home a hefty wage for their part in the Stand Up To Cancer shows.
In Your Face or Mine, airing on Comedy Central, couples answer embarrassing questions in return for cash for Cancer Research.
The show is hosted by Jimmy Carr and Katherine Ryan, and according to the celebrity guests took home an appearance fee, even though it was for charity.
The whistleblower said the fees offered by producers on the gameshow are often more than they raise for the good cause.
A source said: “A celebrity with a savvy agent can get up to about £3,500. Bosses are so desperate they will throw money at them.
“It makes a mockery of it being a charity special.”
Star couples who appeared on the show included Love Island’s Chris Hughes and Olivia Atwood, who have since split, as well as Marnie Simpson and her boyfriend Casey Johnson.
Chris’ representative confirmed to The Mirror that he donated half of his joint fee to charity – we have also approached his people for a comment.
Olivia’s rep has stated that she donated ALL of her fee to her chosen charity the Heart Foundation.
Reps for Marnie and Casey both said no comment and we have approached Comedy Central.
We have also contacted Jimmy Carr and Katherine Ryan’s representatives.
It comes after The Sun exclusively revealed that Bake Off king Paul Hollywood received up to £117,500 to appear in cancer charity specials.
Co-stars Sandi Toksvig, Prue Leith and Noel Fielding were also paid, despite Channel 4 saying on air that all money would go to charity.
A TV source said: “Viewers will be furious.”
They raked in the hefty sums for Stand Up To Cancer specials — even though celebrity contestants donated their whole fees to charity.
Paul, 52, is believed to have made up to £23,500 per episode in his new contract.
Channel 4 confirmed that all money raised by the show from viewer donations goes to charity — but admitted that Prue, 78, Sandi, 59, and Noel, 44, had also been paid to appear.
A TV source said: “None of the celebrity bakers took any money as there entire fees were donated to Stand Up To Cancer.
“But the presenters and judges all took a massive payday as part of their wider new Bake Off contracts. It’s pretty appalling.
“Viewers are going to be furious that Paul, Prue, Noel and Sandi took huge sums when the show was presented as a charity project.
“Channel 4 bosses claim the four donated a portion of their fee to the charity, but refused to say what percentage.
A source at the broadcaster admitted: “It was up to them to decide what to donate.
“The show involved a big time commitment for filming several episodes and doing voiceovers later.
“Celebrity contestants who took part, like Alan Carr and Harry Hill, weren’t paid at all.
“Their fees went straight to the charity.”
During the final episode aired this week, comic Carr, 41, said: “At the end of the day it doesn’t matter if your cakes taste delicious or they are rubbish, we’re all doing it for Stand Up To Cancer.
“And 100 per cent of that money goes to the charity — 100 per cent. What’s not to love.”
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: “Our aim is to raise as much as possible for Stand Up To Cancer.
“Those contracted for a long-running series make a significant donation to the campaign.
“As a result of their involvement millions have been raised with 100 per cent of the money raised going to fund ground-breaking research.”
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