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Original poster

Why can’t Dermot O’Leary eat Colin the Caterpillar cake?

62 replies

HangryBrickShark · 02/04/2026 11:46

Just a random musing here, but just been watching This Morning and they were taste testing 'Colin The Caterpillar' cake against another caterpillar type cake to see which was the nicest.

Alison Hammond told Dermot O'Leary "come on tuck in..., oh you can't can you?"

But why can't Dermot eat Colin The Caterpillar cake?

OP posts:
ClowderofCats · 02/04/2026 13:30

He supports CAFOD Give it up for Lent campaign by giving up treats like chocolate, crisps, sweets and fizzy Drinks.

Emmz1510 · 03/04/2026 22:19

As others have said- lent or a food allergy/intolerance.

MayaPinion · 03/04/2026 22:32

If his wife has a nut allergy he’s probably not eating nuts to protect her. My DN’s boyfriend has a serious nut allergy and she avoids anything with nuts for at least 2-3 days before she sees him. Even a trace on her lips or clothes can lead to a very serious reaction.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food
Callmeback · 04/04/2026 05:16

LindorDoubleChoc · 02/04/2026 11:55

Odd question! Probably food intolerance or allergy. Have you heard of those OP?

That's a pretty condescending reply.

youngestisapsycho · 04/04/2026 05:33

Because Colin the Caterpillar is a crap cake 😆

Roseberygirl · 04/04/2026 06:24

It’s because of Lent. He gives up chocolate every year and so can’t ever join in with the Easter Egg tasting etc.

Wearenotborg · 04/04/2026 06:35

HangryBrickShark · 02/04/2026 11:46

Just a random musing here, but just been watching This Morning and they were taste testing 'Colin The Caterpillar' cake against another caterpillar type cake to see which was the nicest.

Alison Hammond told Dermot O'Leary "come on tuck in..., oh you can't can you?"

But why can't Dermot eat Colin The Caterpillar cake?

Lent?

Pinklightning · 04/04/2026 07:05

I love waking up early and seeing random thread titles on mumsnet. I don’t know who Dermot is and last time I tried a Colin I thought it tasted of chemicals and was very dry. I love a chocolate fudge cake and am making one today but those caterpillar/mini roll things are an abomination. But, im
interested to know which cake won just out of idle curiosity because the thread title intrigued me.

ChikinLikin · 04/04/2026 07:06

Thought this was going to be a dad joke.
Disappointed.

NotSorry · 04/04/2026 07:29

FruityFrog · 02/04/2026 11:58

Won't eat food with a face.

🤣🤣🤣

Porkpieandmustard · 04/04/2026 07:39

FruityFrog · 02/04/2026 11:58

Won't eat food with a face.

😂

Crunchymum · 04/04/2026 07:56

AClassicTrenchcoat · 02/04/2026 13:02

He was testing hot cross buns yesterday but mentioned he couldn’t eat one with nuts.

Wouldn't he have given these up for Lent too?

Shimmyshimmycocobop · 04/04/2026 07:57

FruityFrog · 02/04/2026 11:58

Won't eat food with a face.

😆😆😆

BeanQuisine · 04/04/2026 08:00

It's an old Irish tradition that men and boys called Dermot are not permitted to eat any kind of food in the shape of larvae, without special dispensation.

An old saga relates how a princess called Ailbhe changed her name to Dermot in order to test the Lord, and set out to eat a pie in the shape of a maggot.

She was struck dead by a lightning bolt, but upon finding that this Dermot was actually a lady, the Lord was shamed and returned her to life, in the form of a dung beetle.

Abhannmor · 04/04/2026 08:14

Coeliac intolerance is very common in Irish people. My DS has it. Would it be simpler to make all bread etc gluten free?

usernamealreadytaken · 04/04/2026 08:21

HangryBrickShark · 02/04/2026 11:46

Just a random musing here, but just been watching This Morning and they were taste testing 'Colin The Caterpillar' cake against another caterpillar type cake to see which was the nicest.

Alison Hammond told Dermot O'Leary "come on tuck in..., oh you can't can you?"

But why can't Dermot eat Colin The Caterpillar cake?

Lent?

landlordhell · 04/04/2026 08:22

MissyB1 · 02/04/2026 11:58

Has he given up chocolate for Lent? 🤔

This maybe. He is Catholic.

landlordhell · 04/04/2026 08:23

Crunchymum · 04/04/2026 07:56

Wouldn't he have given these up for Lent too?

Show quote history

Ah his wife has a serious nut allergy. Have heard him talk about it.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 04/04/2026 08:23

BeanQuisine · 04/04/2026 08:00

It's an old Irish tradition that men and boys called Dermot are not permitted to eat any kind of food in the shape of larvae, without special dispensation.

An old saga relates how a princess called Ailbhe changed her name to Dermot in order to test the Lord, and set out to eat a pie in the shape of a maggot.

She was struck dead by a lightning bolt, but upon finding that this Dermot was actually a lady, the Lord was shamed and returned her to life, in the form of a dung beetle.

lol 😂. My stepdad is Irish. Lapsed Catholic. I’ll tell him this.

hahabahbag · 04/04/2026 08:27

@Crunchymum

hot cross buns come under the “bread” category so don’t count Grin My warped interpretation of giving up things properly should be ignored too (I eat puddings but not cakeSmile

Abhannmor · 04/04/2026 08:34

Sorry , I missed @BeanQuisine 's explanation. Which seems more logical!

Cathmawr · 04/04/2026 08:40

BeanQuisine · 04/04/2026 08:00

It's an old Irish tradition that men and boys called Dermot are not permitted to eat any kind of food in the shape of larvae, without special dispensation.

An old saga relates how a princess called Ailbhe changed her name to Dermot in order to test the Lord, and set out to eat a pie in the shape of a maggot.

She was struck dead by a lightning bolt, but upon finding that this Dermot was actually a lady, the Lord was shamed and returned her to life, in the form of a dung beetle.

I was just saying the other day I'd love to know more about Irish mythology- what a beautiful fable, thank-you for sharing.

Case closed!

ElizabethReed · 04/04/2026 08:51

Are we never to know which cake tasted the best?

5128gap · 04/04/2026 09:03

Maybe he wouldn't eat his breakfast. Because we all know if you're not hungry for your egg and soldiers then you can't be hungry for cake.

Recklessismymiddlename · 04/04/2026 09:33

M&S now do a Colin the Caterpillar gluten free cake. Happy happy days. I had one for my birthday. I’m in my 60’s. 🤣