A New Era for Celebrity MasterChef
The beloved BBC cooking competition Celebrity MasterChef returns tonight with a fresh lineup of fifteen famous contestants and significant changes behind the scenes. This new season marks a transitional period for the show following the departure of longtime hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode after an independent investigation.
The investigation resulted in 45 out of 83 allegations being upheld against Wallace, including incidents of unwanted physical contact, while Torode faced substantiated accusations of using racial language. Their exit has paved the way for a new judging panel that will shape the future of the popular culinary series.
Meet the 2025 Contestants
This year's diverse lineup features celebrities from music, sports, television, and social media, all hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year's winner, Strictly Come Dancing professional Vito Coppola.
Alfie Boe OBE brings his theatrical flair from the West End, where he's currently starring as Jean Valjean in the national tour of Les Misérables. The acclaimed actor and singer, who received an OBE in 2019, will test whether his vocal talents translate to culinary skills.
Alun Wyn Jones OBE trades rugby glory for kitchen glory as the most capped rugby player in history. The Welsh sports legend, recently appointed honorary colonel of 3rd Battalion, the Royal Welsh by King Charles III, will discover if military discipline helps in the kitchen.
From the world of music, Antony Costa of Blue fame and Michelle Heaton from Liberty X will showcase their cooking abilities. Heaton has been particularly praised for her openness about overcoming alcohol addiction and her renewed performance capabilities.
Reality TV fans will recognise Chris Hughes from Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother, while Uma Jammeh brings her social media expertise from Love Island Season 11 and her 420,000 TikTok followers.
The sports contingent includes former footballer Ashley Cain, now known for his daring television documentaries, and Jodie Ounsley (Fury from Gladiators), who previously played professional rugby.
Soap opera representation comes from Jamie Lomas (Hollyoaks, EastEnders) and Katie McGlynn (Coronation Street, Waterloo Road), both eager to prove their kitchen credentials.
Completing the lineup are drag queen Ginger Johnson (Drag Race UK winner), singer Jaki Graham (Motown recording artist), Paralympian Gaz Choudhry MBE (wheelchair basketball), presenter Dawn O'Porter, and BBC Asian Network host Noreen Khan.
Judging Changes and Future Directions
This season features a hybrid judging approach, with pre-recorded content from John Torode marking one of his final appearances on the program. He's joined by restaurant critic Grace Dent, who has served as a guest critic for over a decade.
Looking ahead, the BBC has confirmed that Grace Dent and Irish chef Anna Haugh will become the new permanent hosts for future MasterChef editions. Haugh, who previously judged MasterChef: The Professionals in 2022, expressed excitement about her new role, stating she was "delighted to be back" and looked forward to "judging alongside the wonderful Grace Dent, whose writing and wit I've admired for years."
The new season arrives after an edited-down version of the amateur series aired earlier this year, which saw two contestants request to be removed from the program. Despite these challenges, the Celebrity edition promises the same high-stakes cooking challenges that have made the show a BBC staple.
Celebrity MasterChef returns to BBC One on Monday, November 17 at 8pm, offering viewers a fresh take on the competitive cooking format with an intriguing mix of celebrity talent and new judging dynamics.
