The much-anticipated twentieth series of Celebrity MasterChef is about to make its return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn, promising viewers a lively mix of culinary chaos and star-studded drama. On October 17, 2025, BBC bosses pulled back the curtain on the full line-up of 15 celebrities who will go head-to-head for the coveted Celebrity MasterChef trophy, setting the stage for what’s expected to be a memorable and, at times, controversial season.
This year’s roster is a vibrant cross-section of British pop culture, featuring everyone from chart-topping singers to beloved soap actors, reality TV veterans, and decorated athletes. Among the names set to don their aprons are Blue singer Antony Costa, former Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn, Welsh rugby legend Alun Wyn Jones, and TV personality Chris Hughes—who many will remember from his stint on Love Island and, more recently, Celebrity Big Brother. The line-up also spotlights singer Alfie Boe, reality star Ashley Cain, Paralympian Gaz Choudhry, author Dawn O’Porter, and drag queen Ginger Johnson, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series five, according to BBC and the Evening Standard.
Completing the cast are singer Jaki Graham, TV presenter Noreen Khan, Gladiators’ own Jodie Ounsley, singer and TV personality Michelle Heaton, actor Jamie Lomas, and Love Island alum Uma Jammeh. It’s a group that, as the BBC puts it, will be thrust into “five weeks of extraordinary challenges” designed to push them well beyond their comfort zones. “Acting the part won’t cut the mustard and singing for your supper will not equal success,” BBC producers teased, making it clear that only one will emerge victorious with the shiny trophy in hand.
The upcoming season is not without its share of behind-the-scenes intrigue. This year’s judging panel will be helmed by acclaimed restaurant critic Grace Dent and longtime MasterChef mainstay John Torode. However, Torode’s presence comes with a caveat: although he was sacked by the BBC in July 2025 following allegations of using racist language—findings that were upheld by the Lewis Silkin report—he still appears in this series because filming wrapped before his dismissal. As reported by the Press Association and other outlets, Torode will not participate in future editions of the show.
Grace Dent, meanwhile, steps into the co-hosting role after Gregg Wallace was sacked in June 2025 due to misconduct allegations brought forth by production company Banijay UK. Wallace, a fixture of the MasterChef brand, will not appear in this series or any future ones. The BBC, acknowledging the sensitivity of these staffing changes, explained: “These are not straightforward decisions. We have approached this with care and consideration for all involved and we appreciate not everyone will agree with us.” Banijay UK also confirmed that all contestants and guests were consulted and had agreed to the show’s broadcast.
For fans of the franchise, the format remains as thrilling as ever. The 15 celebrities will be put through their paces over a five-week competition, facing a battery of inventive challenges, including three intense Heat weeks. The tasks are designed to test their creativity, timing, and nerve, with the judges scrutinizing every dish. Only one celebrity will make it through the culinary gauntlet to claim the Celebrity MasterChef trophy, following in the footsteps of last year’s winner, professional dancer Vito Coppola, who triumphed in the 2024 edition.
The show’s producers are keen to emphasize the breadth of experience and personality among this year’s contestants. Antony Costa, for example, is best known for his years with boyband Blue, but will have to trade chart-topping hits for perfectly plated entrees. Katie McGlynn, who moved audiences with her portrayal of Sinead Tinker on Coronation Street, will be swapping scripts for spatulas. Alun Wyn Jones, a titan on the rugby pitch, now faces the heat of the kitchen—a different kind of pressure altogether.
Chris Hughes, who first shot to fame on Love Island in 2017 and has since become a familiar face on British television, is expected to bring both charisma and competitive spirit. According to the Manchester Evening News, Hughes has recently made headlines for his relationship with pop star JoJo Siwa, but now the spotlight will be firmly on his culinary skills. Singer Alfie Boe, renowned for his role as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, will be hoping his stage presence translates into kitchen prowess.
The series also features a strong contingent of sports stars and reality TV personalities. Ashley Cain, known for his football career and appearances on MTV’s Ex on the Beach, brings determination shaped by personal loss and his advocacy work with The Azaylia Foundation. Gaz Choudhry, a Paralympic bronze medalist in wheelchair basketball, will rely on his competitive edge honed through years of elite sport. Jodie Ounsley, who played rugby for England and starred as Fury on Gladiators, adds further athletic flair to the line-up.
Entertainment is rounded out by the likes of Dawn O’Porter, a writer and TV presenter known for her candid documentaries and best-selling books, and Ginger Johnson, whose drag artistry has already won over audiences nationwide. Jaki Graham’s soulful vocals, Jamie Lomas’s soap stardom, Michelle Heaton’s pop credentials, Noreen Khan’s radio wit, and Uma Jammeh’s reality TV experience ensure a lively and unpredictable mix of personalities.
The BBC has also confirmed that, alongside the main competition, viewers can look forward to two special Christmas episodes, further extending the show’s reach into the festive season. The decision to proceed with the broadcast, despite the recent controversies, was made with input from all involved. “Banijay UK has consulted the celebrities, contestants and guests featured and all have confirmed that they are happy for the shows to be aired,” a BBC spokesperson reiterated.
As the autumn leaves begin to fall and the nights draw in, Celebrity MasterChef promises to deliver a uniquely British blend of competition, camaraderie, and culinary surprises. With a line-up as diverse as it is dynamic, and a judging panel navigating its own share of recent headlines, this twentieth series is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about yet. Whether it’s the thrill of seeing a pop star sweat over a soufflé or a rugby legend fumble a flambé, audiences are sure to be glued to their screens as the drama unfolds in the MasterChef kitchen.
With all eyes on the kitchen, only time will tell which celebrity will rise above the rest and claim the ultimate prize—a place in Celebrity MasterChef history.
