Catherine Tyldesley embroiled in 'bizarre' cake controversy: What happened and who's involved?

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Catherine Tyldesley, a former star on Coronation Street, is in the midst of a controversy that she finds “bizarre”. Here’s what happened. The television actor’s public relations firm asked a baker to provide a free cake for her 40th birthday this September, in exchange for publicity on social media.

The bakers in question were the Three Birds Bakery outlet, who refused the request. BBC reports that Rebecca Severs, the owner of the bakery said by refusing the offer, she was “defending small businesses”. The Three Birds Bakery said a PR agency asked them if they would provide – at no cost – two cakes and some cupcakes for Catherine Tyldesley’s birthday.

Screengrabs of the conversation were shared online, and NVRLND PR commented saying it was «misconstrued». An email from the actor’s PR firm requested Rebecca Severs of Three Birds Bakery to bake the cakes for free. Instead of cash, the bakery was offered «social media exposure» and “mentions in OK! magazine”.

Severs politely replied saying that her mortgage and staff wages could not be paid in «Instagram likes» so she would be «declining the generous offer». Severs says such requests are common. She posted the conversation online «for a bit of fun», but it went viral and created a ruckus.

The baker told BBC Radio Leeds that a lot of industries like hers are “not valued enough for the skill and time that goes into our products. It's not just the time it takes to make a cake, it's the 20-odd years of experience and skill you've spent to get to that point”. «It's a real challenge to price your own worth when it's your own thing, it's really personal,” she said, emphasizing, „Customers pay for knowledge and skill.“ In a Facebook post, Rebecca Severs claimed that NVRLND PR has