ITV has unveiled the complete line-up of 12 celebrities who will compete in the upcoming sixth series of Cooking With The Stars, featuring Joey Essex, Scarlett Moffatt, and former Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer. The new season premieres at 7.30pm on October 5 on ITV1 and ITVX.
Celebrity Contestants and Their Backgrounds
Joey Essex, known for The Only Way Is Essex, Love Island, and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, joins Scarlett Moffatt, who rose to fame on Channel 4's Gogglebox. Karen Hauer, who announced her departure from Strictly Come Dancing in March after 14 years, will be competing in one of her first major projects since leaving the BBC show.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, the Gladiator star who was Hauer's final dance partner on Strictly, is also among the contestants. The line-up includes Dame Laura Kenny, the five-time Olympic gold medal cyclist, Emmerdale actor Mark Charnock, and TV presenter Zara McDermott.
Additional Contestants and Professional Chefs
Mark "Bez" Berry of Happy Mondays and Black Grape, comedian Seann Walsh, and presenter JB Gill complete the contestant list. Actresses Caroline Quentin and Lesley Joseph round out the 12-person cast.
Each celebrity will be paired with a professional chef mentor, with this year's roster featuring Kate Austen, the first female chef to win the main course on BBC's Great British Menu in 2024. Other chefs include influencer and cookbook author Sam Holland, Jean-Philippe Blondet of three-Michelin-starred The Dorchester, Nokx Majozi of Fallow in London, and Soho restaurateur Angelo Sato.
Hosts Comment on the Upcoming Series
Emma Willis returns to host alongside comedian Tom Allen. Willis said: "Year after year, our celebrities continue to outdo themselves, surprising us and the audience with their culinary capability. This year we have a jam-packed line-up, with four additional celebrities competing compared to last year. With a fuller kitchen, there is bound to be even more fun, commotion, and kitchen disasters!"
Allen added: "I admire our celebrities' confidence to showcase their cooking prowess by preparing dishes for a panel of esteemed chefs. Emma and I are joining forces again to unleash a brand-new season, there'll undoubtedly be spectacular wins and downright catastrophes (fingers crossed it's just slightly burnt, not inedible). Get ready, let the delicious chaos commence."
Cooking With The Stars is a partnership between Marks & Spencer, ITV, and independent production company South Shore. The series airs at 7.30pm on October 5 on ITV1 and ITVX.
