David Schwimmer.Photo: Channel 4 / Love Productions
David Schwimmeris exchanging scripts for recipes on the latestGreat British Baking Show’s celebrity installment, and it’s all thanks to a cause that’s close to his heart.
TheFriendsstar, 56 — who has primarily kept details of his private life out of the public eye — revealed that he signed up for the beloved reality competition’s annualStand Up To Cancerspecial to bring awareness to the disease, which several of his own family members have dealt with.
“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,” Schwimmer said, perThe Mirror. “I am just grateful I can help in any small way 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,” he added.
David Schwimmer and his sister.David Schwimmer Instagram
His family members aren’t the only ones who have battled the disease. Schwimmer’s fellowFriendscostarJames Michael Tyler, who played loveable coffee shop worker Gunther, also died in 2021 at the age of 59 after being diagnosed withstage 4 prostate cancer.
Schwimmerposted a tribute to the actoralong with a headshot of him as Gunther to Instagram following his death. “James, thank you for playing such a wonderful, unforgettable role inFriendsand for being such a big hearted gentleman and all around mensch off screen,” hewrotealongside the post. “You will be missed, buddy. #JamesMichaelTyler.”
The sitcom star said in a peek at Sunday’s firstBaking Showepisode — dubbedThe Great British Bake Offoverseas — that while he doesn’t bake, he had a lot of support from his daughter Cleo, 11, whom he shares with ex-wife Zoe Buckman.
“My friends and family are very excited for me,” Schwimmer said, according toThe Mirror. “They are all fans of the show.”
David Schwimmer.Channel 4 / Love Productions
They’re not the only ones. LegendaryBaking ShowjudgePaul Hollywoodadmitted toThe Mirrorthat he’s aFriendsfan and had to stop himself from fangirling when he saw Schwimmer.
“I was like, ‘It’s David Schwimmer, he’s here, he’s here!'“I was like, ‘Wow!’ " Hollywood, 57, told the outlet, recalling how he tried to play it cool when he saw the actor but failed miserably. “I wandered up, pretended I wasn’t that bothered and he was like, ‘Oh hiya guys, how are you doing?’ And I had to let it out.”
Channel 4 / Love Productions
“He took it seriously,” Hollywood admitted, while Leith added, “He genuinely wanted to be on the show partly because he wanted to support Stand Up to Cancer but also because, like most who come on the show, they want to get into that tent.”
In February, Schwimmer wasannounced as one of the competitorsfor the charity special alongside Olympic diverTom Daley, formerLittle MixsingerJesy NelsonandBridget JonesactressJessica Hynes.
A short video clip of the ‘bakers’ taking part in the charity special was released on the show’s Twitter account, with Schwimmer seen wearing a navy blue polo shirtunder his beige apron, which is covered in flour.
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“Say hello to our baking friends. Meet the stars hitting the [Baking Show] tent to raise some dough for a very special cause!” read the post.
The Great Stand Up To Cancer Bake Offairs on Sunday, March 19 in the U.K.
source: people.com
