Michelle Heaton spills on the pressures of Celebrity MasterChef
Former Liberty X singer has described her experience on Celebrity MasterChef this year as "so hard" and "intense", but praised new judge Grace Dent for being a "beautiful human being".
Michelle Heaton says competing on Celebrity MasterChef was "so hard" and "intense".
The 46-year-old star famously earned a place in group Liberty X on 2001 talent show Popstars facing judges Nigel Lythgoe, Nicki Chapman and Paul Adam.
But Michelle admits nothing was as stressful as cooking to impress on the BBC culinary show.
Speaking to New! magazine, she said: "That was a massive dream, but so hard! I'm laughing now but I didn't appreciate how intense it would be. I burnt my potatoes the other night - I've never burned a potato in my life! But equally the pressure makes you think on your feet."
However, Michelle has nothing but love for main judge Grace Dent, describing the food critic as a "beautiful human being".
She said: "[Grace] is gorgeous, beautiful and Northern. She's a beautiful human being. I had a great time with her. My heat was amazing, Dawn O'Porter is so talented, I love Jamie [Lomas] and Chris Hughes is adorable. We still chat now, we have our little WhatsApp group."
Michelle managed to get to the quarterfinals of the competition, despite in one heat burning her sweet potato fries.
The reality TV star is now busy starring in Billingham pantomime Peter Pan, in which she plays Tinker Bell.
However, Michelle will be back in the kitchen to on Christmas Day to cook a festive lunch for her husband Hugh Hanley and their two children, daughter Faith, 13, and son AJ, 10.
She said: "I do it every year. I travel home from panto on Christmas Eve and provided Hugh's got all the shopping right I cook it all on Christmas Day. He's getting detailed instructions this year. Apart from cooking, I plan to spend the day on the sofa watching Christmas telly - my favourite is Santa Claus: The Movie."
Grace took over as the main judge on MasterChef and the Celebrity spin-off after Gregg Wallace left the show in November 2024, amidst an investigation into inappropriate behaviour.
Independent law firm Lewis Silkin, on behalf of the BBC One cookery show's production company Banijay UK, conducted an investigation into Gregg's alleged inappropriate behaviour. When it was published it substantiated 45 out of 83 allegations, including claims of inappropriate sexual language, humour and one alleged incident of "unwelcome physical contact" by Gregg.
Despite Gregg having insisted he has been "cleared of the most serious and sensational accusations" made against him, the BBC said it had "no plans to work" with him again.
The report also upheld an allegation of an "extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace" by co-presenter and judge John Torode.
In July, the BBC announced that John's contract would not be renewed.
