Three reasons why I'm doing Celeb Bake Off DAVID SCHWIMMER

Friends star on cancer in his family

- CHRISTINE SMITH 

WHEN David Schwimmer was persuaded to join Bake Off, bosses certainly landed the cream of showbiz.

But while the Friends star, who confessed to being a superfan of the show, jumped at the chance to take part, there was a heartbreaking reason for him accepting.

Celeb Bake Off raises awareness of cancer and David revealed his gran and ex-wife's mother died from the disease while sister Ellie faced a battle with it too.

It is a tragic personal insight into the normally private actor, who played Ross Geller for 10 years in the US sitcom. But also helps explain how the native New Yorker came to be fretting about cake recipes in a field with Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood.

The dad of one, 52, 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 raise more awareness.