Celebrity MasterChef is back for its landmark 20th series, and the 2025 edition promises a heady mix of culinary drama, star power, and behind-the-scenes controversy. The BBC’s beloved cooking competition returns this autumn, bringing together 15 well-known figures from music, sport, television, and comedy, all vying for the coveted Celebrity MasterChef trophy. But while the heat is on in the kitchen, it’s the shake-ups outside it that have made this year’s series the talk of the town.
The line-up, officially announced by the BBC, is nothing short of star-studded. Among the contestants are former Love Island star Chris Hughes, chart-topping singer Alfie Boe, and Welsh rugby legend Alun Wyn Jones. They’re joined by pop star Antony Costa, soul singer Jaki Graham, author and presenter Dawn O’Porter, drag performer Ginger Johnson, reality stars Ashley Cain and Uma Jammeh, Gladiator Jodie Ounsley (aka Fury), radio presenter Noreen Khan, soap stars Jamie Lomas and Katie McGlynn, comedian Noreen Khan, and Paralympian Gaz Choudhry. Each brings their own flair—and, let’s be honest, varying degrees of kitchen confidence—to the competition.
The show, recorded earlier in 2025, will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in autumn, with two Christmas specials to follow later in the year. As per tradition, the contestants will face a gauntlet of culinary challenges: three intense Heat weeks, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the high-stakes Finals Week. According to a BBC spokesperson, “Celebrity MasterChef features three Heat weeks aimed at testing the celebrities’ abilities – with the cream of the 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.”
But it’s not just the contestants who are making headlines. The judging panel has undergone a dramatic transformation following a series of misconduct scandals. Longtime host John Torode will appear as judge and co-host, but this season marks the arrival of food critic Grace Dent, who steps in for Gregg Wallace. Wallace was suspended and ultimately sacked in July 2025 after an independent Lewis Silkin review upheld more than 40 complaints of sexually explicit or inappropriate comments against him. The review also found evidence of other inappropriate language, being in a state of undress, and one incident of unwelcome physical contact. Wallace has since launched a High Court claim against the BBC, alleging distress and harassment, but the broadcaster maintains he’s not entitled to any damages.
Torode, too, was sacked in summer 2025 after an allegation of using an “extremely offensive racist term” was upheld, as reported by the BBC. Despite the controversy, episodes featuring Torode will still air, as the series was recorded before his dismissal. The BBC explained the decision in a carefully worded statement: “Banijay UK has consulted the celebrities, contestants and guests featured and all have confirmed that they are happy for the shows to be aired. As we have said previously, 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.”
Grace Dent, now the show’s new judge, expressed her excitement about the unpredictable nature of the competition. “It’s a thrill to see such a wild mix of personalities take to the kitchen. You can’t predict who will rise to the occasion or who will fall apart under pressure – and that’s what makes Celebrity MasterChef so addictive,” she said, according to BBC sources. Torode added, “This year’s line-up has heart, humour and a few surprises. Some of them really can cook — others, well, we’ll find out.”
For some contestants, the Celebrity MasterChef kitchen is just the latest in a series of life changes. Alun Wyn Jones, for example, retired from rugby in 2023 after a record-breaking international career. Since then, he’s been candid about the challenges of transitioning to life after professional sport. Speaking on the High Performance podcast earlier this year, Jones reflected, “I’ve had to learn to live again being around more… When you’ve been told what to eat, what to wear throughout your career you do become institutionalised. It’s a bit like a jigsaw puzzle with no picture on it.”
Jones’s journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. He revealed that he underwent surgery for atrial fibrillation, a heart condition diagnosed at the end of his playing days, and continues to monitor his health closely. Since hanging up his boots, Jones has taken on new roles as a BBC pundit and Strategic Advisor to Swansea University’s National Network for Innovation in Sport and Health. He’s even ventured into the food and drink industry, launching his own coffee-infused rum liqueur, Mimosa Rwm Espiritu, now stocked in Tesco and Morrisons across Wales. For Jones, Celebrity MasterChef is another step in what he has described as a “career evolution.”
Meanwhile, Alfie Boe, aged 52, brings his own brand of star power and kitchen curiosity to the competition. The singer, known for his powerhouse vocals, is eager to prove himself in a different arena. The BBC notes that the show’s producers have designed “extraordinary tests of creativity and composure” to push contestants beyond their comfort zones. Each episode will challenge the celebrities to serve restaurant-quality dishes while learning the fundamentals of flavour and timing under the guidance of Grace Dent and John Torode.
The shadow of controversy still looms, however. The BBC’s decision to air the series despite the judges’ misconduct has sparked debate. Some viewers and industry insiders have questioned whether the show should proceed, while others appreciate the network’s transparency and the contestants’ willingness to move forward. The BBC’s spokesperson summed up the delicate balance: “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.”
For the 15 celebrities, though, the focus is on the food—and the fierce competition ahead. They’ll be hoping to follow in the footsteps of 2024’s champion, professional dancer and choreographer Vito Coppola, as they battle it out for culinary glory. With a blend of established stars, rising talents, and a fresh judging dynamic, this year’s Celebrity MasterChef is set to deliver plenty of surprises, emotional moments, and, of course, mouth-watering dishes.
As the 20th series prepares to hit screens, fans can expect a season that’s as unpredictable as it is entertaining, blending triumph, adversity, and a dash of real-life drama. Whether you tune in for the food, the personalities, or the intrigue, one thing’s for sure: Celebrity MasterChef 2025 will be a series to remember.
