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Celebrity MasterChef is set to return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn for its 20th series(Image: BBC/Shine TV)
Celebrity MasterChef has confirmed its star-studded 2025 line-up, which includes some singing legends and a soap icon.
The hit BBC cooking series is returning this autumn for its 20th series and it was recorded earlier in the year with new 2025 judge Grace Dent and John Torode.
Celebrity MasterChef fans will be treated to a line-up including singers, sports stars, actors, authors, comedians, entertainers and presenters all with the aim of cooking their way to becoming 2025 champion.
The 15 celebrities will face five weeks of extraordinary challenges in an attempt to follow in 2024 winner and Strictly Come Dancing pro Vito Coppola’s footsteps.
Celebrity MasterChef’s 2025 line-up includes singing legend Alfie Boe OBE, rugby star Alun Wyn Jones OBE, pop star Antony Costa, Ashley Cain and Love Island star Chris Hughes.
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It was recorded earlier in the year with new 2025 judge Grace Dent and John Torode(Image: PA)
Also joining the line-up are Dawn O’Porter, Paralympian and actor Gaz Choudhry MBE, drag artist Ginger Johnson, soul legend Jaki Graham, soap icon Jamie Lomas, Gladiator Jodie Ounsley, former Coronation Street star Katie McGlynn, pop star Michelle Heaton, comedian Noreen Khan and TV personality Uma Jammeh.
The BBC has teased: “Celebrity MasterChef features three Heat weeks aimed at testing the celebrities’ abilities – with the cream of crop making it past the Quarter Finals at the end of the week, ready for the Semi Final stages, edging closer to Finals Week and in with a serious chance of claiming the gleaming 2025 trophy.”
It comes after former judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode were sacked from the show following a review into Wallace’s alleged misconduct. This will be John’s, 60, last series.
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Soap icon Jamie Lomas is on the line-up(Image: BBC/Shine TV)
In November 2024 it was announced that Gregg, 61, would step away from his role on the BBC cooking show while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated.
The former greengrocer issued an apology saying he was “deeply sorry for any distress caused” and that he “never set out to harm or humiliate” in the wake of the Lewis Silkin review, published in July, that saw 45 out of 83 allegations made against him upheld.
Meanwhile, John was the subject of an allegation about using racist language that was upheld as part of the review and the BBC and production company Banijay UK subsequently agreed they would “not renew his contract on MasterChef”.
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Love Island star Chris Hughes is hoping to impress with his cooking skills (Image: BBC/Shine TV)
At the time, John confirmed he was the subject of the allegation in July “for the sake of transparency”, but said he had “no recollection of the incident” and was “shocked and saddened” by the accusation.
The review concluded that the “majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour”, adding that “a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated”, with “one incident of unwelcome physical contact” also substantiated.
After Gregg stepped back from his role in 2024, amid the external review and prior to his sacking, Grace Dent was announced as a judge on Celebrity MasterChef.
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Pop star Michelle Heaton is also on the line-up (Image: BBC/Shine TV)
And now, Grace, 52, is hosting MasterChef alongside Irish chef Anna Haugh with the duo replacing Gregg and John.
Gregg recently took legal action against the BBC, who have since responded to his High Court claim.
The BBC has said Gregg is not “entitled to any damages” in response to his High Court claim alleging that the broadcaster and one of its subsidiaries caused him “distress and harassment”
