The BBC has revealed a stellar line-up for the 2021 series of Celebrity MasterChef 2021.
20 celebrity contestants will go head to head to impress presenters by John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
From a Strictly Come Dancing star to EastEnders actors and reality TV personalities, this year’s contestants promise plenty of humour and entertainment as they prepare their dishes.
Last year’s six week-long competition saw Irish-Iraqi broadcaster and YouTuber Riyadh Khalaf take the crown.
A start date for the new series is yet to be announced but it is expected we will hear more details soon.
Series editor Katie Attwood said: “This year’s line-up promises a huge amount of humour and entertainment. Lockdown has proved productive for our famous faces’ culinary skills and we are set to see some exceptional talent and astonishing dishes as the celebrities swap their day jobs for a spot in the MasterChef kitchen.”
Sarah Clay, commissioning editor for the BBC, said: “Celebrity MasterChef is one the highlights of the British summertime schedule and this series is as entertaining and charming as ever.
“The 20 brave celebrities are joined by a host of chefs at the top of their game in brand new tasks which makes this year feel extra special. The standard of cooking is like nothing we have seen before.”
Here is a run through of who is taking part in the upcoming competition:
Duncan James
Duncan James (BBC/PA)
James is perhaps best known as a former singer in the boy band Blue.
The band represented the UK at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest and he has since gone on to star in the soap Hollyoaks and West End shows.
Su Pollard
Su Pollard (BBC/PA)
The actress became a household name in the 1980s thanks to roles including holiday camp worker Peggy in Hi-de-Hi!
Nabil Abdulrashid
Nabil Abdulrashid (BBC/PA)
Stand-up comedian Abdulrashid was a finalist on last year’s Britain’s Got Talent.
He lost out to fellow comedian Jon Courtenay in the ITV competition.
Munya Chawawa
Munya Chawawa (BBC/PA)
Social media star Chawawa proved an online hit during the pandemic with his comedy performances.
His videos provide a satirical take on the news, while he is also known for spoof characters including rapper Unknown P and newsreader Barty Crease.
Melanie Sykes
Melanie Sykes (BBC/PA)
Television and radio presenter Sykes is perhaps best known for co-hosting Today With Des And Mel alongside the late entertainer Des O’Connor.
More recently she has hosted shows including The Great Pottery Throw Down.
Rita Simons
Rita Simons (BBC/PA)
Former EastEnders actress Simons starred as Roxy Mitchell in the BBC soap.
She also featured in the 2018 edition of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Megan McKenna
Megan McKenna (BBC/PA)
Reality star McKenna rose to fame after appearing on Ex On The Beach in 2015, and then went on to feature in five series of The Only Way Is Essex.
She has also competed on Celebrity Big Brother and appeared on Celebs Go Dating.
Penny Lancaster
Penny Lancaster (BBC/PA)
Lancaster has worked as a model and photographer.
She has been married to singer Sir Rod Stewart since 2007.
Patrick Grant
Patrick Grant (BBC/PA)
Grant is a judge on the BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee.
He has also worked as a tailor on Savile Row.
Will Kirk
Will Kirk (BBC/PA)
Kirk is a furniture restorer who has starred on BBC show The Repair Shop.
Katie Price
Katie Price (BBC/PA)
Price is a former glamour model and TV star.
Earlier this year she featured in BBC One documentary Katie Price: Harvey And Me which followed her disabled son as he turned 18.
Dion Dublin
Dion Dublin (BBC/PA)
Dublin is a former footballer who played for clubs including Manchester United and Aston Villa.
He now works as a football pundit for the BBC.
Johannes Radebe
Johannes Radebe (BBC/PA)
Professional dancer Radebe has appeared on BBC competition Strictly Come Dancing.
He was partnered with actress Caroline Quentin in the last series of the programme.
Gavin Esler
Gavin Esler (BBC/PA)
Journalist Esler is a former presenter of the BBC’s Newsnight.
In 2019 he stood unsuccessfully for Change UK in European elections.
Kadeena Cox
Kadeena Cox (BBC/PA)
Paralympic champion Cox has represented Great Britain in both sprinting and cycling events.
Kem Cetinay
Kem Cetinay (BBC/PA)
Cetinay won the 2017 edition of Love Island with ex-girlfriend Amber Davies.
Joe Swash
Joe Swash (BBC/PA)
TV presenter and actor Swash rose to fame playing Mickey Miller in EastEnders.
He won the 2008 edition of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and Dancing On Ice in 2020.
Melissa Johns
Melissa Johns (BBC/PA)
Actress Johns is known for playing Imogen Pascoe in Coronation Street.
She has also appeared in BBC One drama Life.
Michelle Collins
Michelle Collins (BBC/PA)
Collins is known for her roles in soaps, having starred in both EastEnders and Coronation Street.
Bez
Bez (BBC/PA)
Maraca-shaking dancer Bez, real name Mark Berry, starred in Manchester band Happy Mondays.
Last month he launched his own horse racing club.
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