THE line-up for this year’s Celebrity MasterChef has been unveiled with a whole host of stars signing up and hoping to impress.
The BBC contest will be returning later this year for the first time without Gregg Wallace as a judge after he stepped down from the programme after an investigation into his behaviour.
John Torode will be back for the show alongside new permanent judge Grace Dent but it will be John’s final series after he was also let go following the conclusion of the BBC’s investigation.
Now, fifteen famous faces are hoping to cook up a storm in the kitchen for the 20th series.
Across five weeks, stars including a Coronation Street favourite, two Love Islanders and a Gladiators star will battle it out in hopes of following in Strictly Come Dancing star Vito Coppola’s shoes after his victory last year.
Here is everyone on the line-up…
Uma Jammeh
Love Island beauty Uma is making her return to TV after shunning television jobs since her exit from the ITV2 villa.
She rose to fame on the programme and found love with hunky Geordie, Wil Anderson.
The pair got engaged earlier this year and have both been working as social media influencers since their sun-soaked TV debut.
Now, Uma will be hoping to prove that she is a kitchen queen in the MasterChef kitchen.
Chris Hughes
Uma won’t be the only Love Islander to face John and Grace, with Chris Hughes also enjoying a stint in the kitchen.
The TV personality will be making his second major TV appearance this year following his appearance in Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year.
Chris has found himself firmly back in the spotlight this year following his CBB stint and his romance with JoJo Siwa.
But will he be learning to make any romantic dishes for JoJo?
Katie McGlynn
Former Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn has signed up to the contest this year.
The star is best known for playing Sinead Tinker in the ITV soap opera and was killed off as part of a tragic cervical cancer storyline.
She later went on to compete in Strictly Come Dancing but was quickly voted off the dance contest after having two left feet.
Will Katie fair better in the kitchen than on the dancefloor?
Anthony Costa
Blue boybander Anthony is another star who has been handpicked to show off his culinary skills.
He is known for his impressive singing vocals but will his cooking be up to scratch.
He isn’t the first member of Blue to take on the MasterChef kitchen either with Duncan James taking part in 2021.
Ashley Cain
Former footballer turned TV personality Ashley has signed up this year.
He became best known for his appearances on MTV reality shows Ex On The Beach and The Challenge before becoming a father to daughter, Azaliya.
However, she tragically passed away when she was just months old following a cancer battle.
Ashley and his then-partner, Safiyya Vorajee, have since campaigned and raised thousands for charity in honour of their little girl.
He will be hoping to do his daughter proud in the MasterChef kitchen.
Alfie Boe
Musical theatre star Alfie will be enjoying an appearance on this year’s Celebrity MasterChef.
The singer is best known for his variety of stage roles as well as his partnership with Michael Ball.
But will he survive the heat in the kitchen or crumble under the pressure?
Alun Wyn Jones
Alun is more used to the rugby field than he is cooking in the kitchen.
The star played rugby union for the Welsh national team as the world’s most-capped rugby union player having gained 158 caps for Wales and 12 for the British & Irish Lions.
He’s also no stranger to trophies, having been named the best player of the 2019 Six Nations Championship, as well as gaining nominations for the World Player of the Year in 2015 and 2019.
Could he be adding the Celebrity MasterChef trophy to his cabinet case too?
Dawn O’Porter
Scottish writer and TV star Dawn will be enjoying a rare move into reality TV after being tempted on to the show.
She is perhaps best known for her range of documentaries on the BBC and Channel 4 in the late 2000s which saw her immerse herself in different cultures and communities.
Dawn is also an acclaimed writer having focused on her career as an author in recent years.
But will her writing skills match up to her culinary talents?
Gaz Choudhry
Gaz is a former wheelchair basketball player.
Originally from Pakistan, he underwent an amputation in his home country at the age of 10.
He moved with his family to London at 13 years old and began playing wheelchair basketball upon the move.
Gaz went on to compete for Team GB in the 2012 Paralympics as well as again in Rio and Tokyo where he helped to win a bronze medal for Great Britian.
Now, the star will be hoping to add the MasterChef crown to his long list of achievements.
Ginger Johnson
Ginger Johnson is the stage name of Donald Marshall who won the fifth series of the BBC reality series, RuPaul‘s Drag Race UK.
Having worked as a drag performer, actor and nightclub host for years, Ginger achieved more fame thanks to their stint on the fifth series of the popular drag competiton.
Since achieving mainstream fame, Ginger has continued to perform in stage plays across the country but will now be aiming to receive more notability thanks to Celebrity MasterChef.
Ginger isn’t the first drag queen to take on MasterChef with Baga Chips, Cheryl Hole and Kitty Scott-Claus having all appeared on the programme before.
Jaki Graham
MasterChef will be welcoming in a real diva to the kitchen in the form of soul singer, Jaki Graham.
She is best known for a string of hit singles released across the 80s and 90s.
Jaki rarely makes TV appearances so her time on MasterChef will be a real treat for her fans.
Jamie Lomas
Katie is not the only soap star to be cast on this year’s edition.
Hunky actor Jamie Lomas will also be giving the programme a go.
He is best known for his time as Warren Fox in Hollyoaks as well as a stint in EastEnders.
But has he got what it takes to be crowned winner of MasterChef?
Jodie Ounsley
Sporting star Jodie rose to fame thanks to being Fury on the BBC’s Gladiators.
She has already begun to spread her wings outside of the programme after being picked to front coverage of last year’s Paralympic Games for Channel 4.
Now, she has bagged another solo TV spot in the form of MasterChef.
But will she be able to keep her cool or will she find herself in a Fury?
Michelle Heaton
The former Liberty X singer fancied a new challenge – and there is no better one for her to try than Celeb MasterChef.
The popstar is excited to don her apron and give her all to the show.
But what tricks does she have up her sleeve to impress John and Grace?
Noreen Khan
Noreen is a world-class comedian and radio personality who will be hoping to bring her signature humour to the MasterChef kitchen.
She is best known for her comedy routines as well as being on the airwaves of the BBC Asian Network every weekday afternoon.
Noreen has become one of the station’s most popular stars and will be hoping her warmth transcends to BBC One viewers for MasterChef.
