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Celebrity MasterChef is returning for a brand new series and 10 budding contestants have already been confirmed – so who are they and when does it start?
The popular show is returning with a slew of new famous faces hoping to impress with their culinary talents and a new judging duo.
Five names were first announced, with the BBC confirming they will take part in Heat 1. Another five for Heat 2 have now dropped.
Here’s who they are and what we know about this series, including its start date.
Celebrity MasterChef 2026: Heat 1
Comedian Joe Pasquale is taking part in Celebrity MasterChef 2026 (Credit: BBC)
Comedian Joe Pasquale
Comedy favourite Joe Pasquale is among the first celebrities entering the Celebrity MasterChef kitchen this year.
Best known for his distinctive high pitched voice, Joe has enjoyed a long career in comedy, television and theatre.
The 64-year-old also won I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in 2004. Now, he has his sights set on another TV title.
Joe admitted he could not resist signing up.
“I’m a huge fan of the show,” he said.
“I love a good challenge. I don’t like to be in shallow water. I love the deep end. And I love the adrenaline that goes with pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.”
Jay McGuiness is the third Wanted band member to take part in MasterChef (Credit: BBC)
Jay McGuiness heads into the MasterChef kitchen
Jay McGuiness is also hoping to impress when Heat 1 gets underway.
The 36-year -old singer found fame with The Wanted before lifting the Glitterball Trophy on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015.
Jay follows fellow bandmates Max George and the late Tom Parker into the MasterChef kitchen.
He said: “My bandmates Tom and Max had a great time on the show, and I was so impressed watching them!
“I like challenges and learning new things. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Jason Mohammed loves to cook (Credit: BBC)
Jason Mohammad joins Celebrity MasterChef 2026
Presenter Jason Mohammad will also be putting his cooking skills to the test.
The 52-year-old broadcaster is best known for presenting BBC Wales Today. He has also fronted coverage of several Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games for the BBC.
Jason revealed the meal he enjoys making when entertaining family and friends.
“To impress guests, I would cook minced lamb kebabs with chilli and salt, coriander chicken curry with basmati rice and then a chocolate torte with ice cream,” he said.
It certainly sounds like a menu worth trying.
Emily Campbell is swapping the wrestling ring for the kitchen (Credit: BBC)
Emily Campbell signs up
Olympic weightlifter Emily Campbell is swapping sport for cooking as she joins the line-up.
The 32-year-old won silver at Tokyo 2020 before adding bronze at Paris 2024.
Emily already counts herself as a huge MasterChef fan and says cooking is a big part of her daily life.
“I cook as two people, Emily the Athlete, and Emily the person. While I’m training, I have to consume 3,500 calories daily to stay fuelled,” she said.
“I find it much easier being the chef for multiple people, not just one. I’m usually the chef on training camps for my athlete friends.”
Love Island star Shakira Khan has been having cookery lessons from her dad (Credit: BBC)
Shakira Khan takes on Celebrity MasterChef
Representing the Love Island stars is Shakira Khan, who appeared in series 12 of the ITV2 dating show last summer.
The 23-year-old has since become co-host of Love Island companion vodcast The Debrief.
Shakira described herself as a “simple cook” but hopes to impress with some “sick dishes”.
“My dad is an amazing family cook. He has been tutoring me ahead of the competition, whereas my mum would burn fish fingers,” she said.
“I learnt about Pakistani heritage from my dad. We ended up fusing cuisines and creating dishes like Keema Spaghetti Bolognese or curried beans on toast.”
Celebrity MasterChef 2026: Heat 2
Nitin Ganatra is taking part in Heat 2 of Celebrity MasterChef 2026 (Credit: BBC)
Nitin Ganatra
EastEnders favourite Nitin Ganatra is among the latest celebrities stepping into the Celebrity MasterChef kitchen. As well as playing Masood Ahmed in the BBC soap, he has appeared in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Netflix hit Wednesday.
Now the 58-year-old is hoping his cooking can be just as impressive.
Nitin revealed he is taking part in memory of his late mum, who he describes as “the best cook in the world”. But viewers should not expect rich puddings from him.
“I’ve never been a fan of desserts because I grew up in a sweet shop, I had 18 fillings by age 18!” Nitin said. “I’ve tried to eat ‘clean’ in the last few years, I’m obsessed with gut health. I try to cook Indian food without the oil and use dates instead of sugar.”
Celebrity MasterChef is a ‘dream’ for Donna Preston (Credit: BBC)
Donna Preston signs up
Actress and comedian Donna Preston has described joining Celebrity MasterChef as “a dream”.
The former Celebrity Big Brother star cannot wait to get stuck into the competition and believes her presentation skills are one of her strengths.
The 40-year-old also revealed there is one ingredient she refuses to try.
“I love trying lots of things, but I will NEVER eat shark, fermented or not!” she said.
Fair enough!
Emily Steel, aka Dynamite, will be brining a touch of Spain into the kitchen (Credit: BBC)
Emily Steel aka Dynamite
Gladiators star Emily Steel is swapping the arena for the MasterChef kitchen.
Better known to fans as Dynamite, the 23-year-old weightlifter rates her cooking ability eight out of 10 and is already planning to showcase dishes inspired by Spain, where she previously lived.
“I spent a lot of time in Spain for work, so I love tapas, patatas bravas, prawns, steak with chimichurri, croquettes, Manchego Cheese,” Emily said.
“I’d love to cook some tapas!”
Tom Simons, aka TommyInnit, is swapping YouTube for television (Credit: BBC)
Tom Simons aka TommyInnit
YouTube star and comedian Tom Simons is making his television debut with Celebrity MasterChef.
Known online as TommyInnit, the 22-year-old admitted he is still learning in the kitchen after his parents taught him to cook over FaceTime when he moved into his own flat in Brighton at 17.
“It’s my first time on a proper TV show!” he gushed.
TommyInnit added: “A dish that reminds me of my childhood is pasta, broccoli, bacon and cheese! My mum once let me have it for Christmas dinner.
“Most of my recipes are family recipes, I don’t tend to use cookbooks or websites.”
Eric Underwood will also be competing in Heat 2 of Celebrity MasterChef (Credit: BBC)
Ballet dancer Eric Underwood
Former ballet dancer Eric Underwood is also taking on the Celebrity MasterChef challenge.
Born in the US, Eric later moved to the UK and spent more than a decade performing as a soloist with The Royal Ballet.
Since retiring from ballet, he has continued working across dance, fashion and television while mentoring young performers and championing greater representation in the arts.
The 42-year-old hopes to challenge perceptions about dancers and food.
“Ballet dancers and food do not go naturally together but I want to change that perception,” Eric said. “I love cooking and entertaining. Well I give it a go, and I’m very willing to learn and put effort into it.
“I live on a farm with my husband and we’re hoping to get into ‘farm to table’. We grow our own veg and have cows, chickens, sheep, bees, we make our own honey.”
Who are the Celebrity MasterChef 2026 judges?
The judging panel has changed again for the new series.
Grace Dent returns to the programme and will be joined by newcomer Giorgio Locatelli following John Torode’s departure.
Giorgio already judges the Italian version of MasterChef, making him a familiar face to the format.
When does Celebrity MasterChef 2026 start?
The BBC has not yet announced an official launch date for Celebrity MasterChef 2026.
Last year’s series began in November, although this year’s run is expected to arrive sooner.
For now, the broadcaster has only confirmed the show is “coming soon” to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
That means fans should not have too long to wait before the famous kitchen opens its doors once again. Can’t wait!
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The post EastEnders’ Nitin Ganatra, Gladiator Dynamite and YouTuber TommyInnit among Celebrity MasterChef 2026 contestants appeared first on Entertainment Daily.
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