Alfie Boe among the stars joining line-up of the 20th series of Celebrity MasterChef.
As the cooking show gets set to return to TVs this year, it’s been confirmed singer Alfie Boe is among the stars joining the line-up of the 20th series of Celebrity MasterChef.
Alfie Boe is among the stars joining the line-up of the 20th series of Celebrity MasterChef.
The singer, 52, has been announced as a competitor as the scandal-hit BBC cooking show gets set to return later this year with 15 celebrities from the worlds of music, sport, television and comedy competing for the 2025 trophy.
Celebrity MasterChef’s new season – recorded earlier this year – will once again see contestants take on a series of gruelling culinary challenges across five weeks, all under the scrutiny of now-sacked judge John Torode and new arrival Grace Dent.
The duo will be seen deciding who has what it takes to follow in the footsteps of 2024 winner and Strictly Come Dancing professional Vito Coppola.
Alongside Alfie, other names confirmed by the BBC to appear as contenders are rugby icon Alun Wyn Jones OBE and pop star Antony Costa.
They will be joined by Ashley Cain and Love Island favourite Chris Hughes.
Also taking part are author and presenter Dawn O’Porter, Paralympian and actor Gaz Choudhry MBE, drag performer Ginger Johnson and soul singer Jaki Graham.
Soap actor Jamie Lomas, Gladiator Jodie Ounsley and Coronation Street star Katie McGlynn are also among the cast, alongside pop singer Michelle Heaton, comedian Noreen Khan and TV personality Uma Jammeh.
A BBC spokesperson said: “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.”
Producers said the group would face “extraordinary tests of creativity and composure” designed to push them beyond their comfort zones.
Each episode will challenge the contestants to serve restaurant-quality dishes while learning the fundamentals of flavour and timing under the guidance of Grace and John.
Grace said: “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.”
John said: “This year’s line-up has heart, humour and a few surprises. Some of them really can cook — others, well, we’ll find out.”
Celebrity MasterChef 2025 will air this autumn on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The upcoming series comes in the wake of a major shake-up behind the scenes.
Former hosts Gregg Wallace, 61, and John were investigated last year after a review into allegations of misconduct.
The independent Lewis Silkin review, published in July 2024, upheld 45 out of 83 allegations made against Gregg, the majority of which related to “inappropriate sexual language and humour”.
It also substantiated “a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress”, as well as “one incident of unwelcome physical contact”.
Gregg said he was “deeply sorry for any distress caused” and insisted he “never set out to harm or humiliate anyone”.
Following the findings, he was removed from the show.
John also became the subject of a separate allegation relating to racist language, which was upheld as part of the same review and he was sacked.
His Celebrity MasterChef episodes are running despite the decision.
Gregg has since launched a High Court claim against the BBC, alleging the broadcaster and one of its subsidiaries caused him “distress and harassment”.
The BBC has said Gregg is not “entitled to any damages” in response.
