CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF REVEALS SECOND SET OF FAMOUS FACES ENTERING THE FAMOUS KITCHEN FOR NEW SERIES THIS SUMMER

The red carpet rolls into the MasterChef kitchen for a glittering line-up of celebrities from the worlds of music, drama, comedy, sport and showbiz. This 21st series warmly welcomes singers and sports stars, actors and authors, to comedians, entertainers and presenters, all with the aim of cooking their way to becoming Celebrity MasterChef 2026 Champion.

Five weeks of extraordinary challenges await in a competition that will push the celebrities beyond the comfort of their showbiz jobs. Acting the part won’t cut the mustard and singing for your supper will not equal success. The only thing guaranteed is that just one of them will be left standing at the end, where their sparkling career will lead them to the shiny prize - the iconic Celebrity MasterChef trophy.

The BBC has announced the line-up for the second heat of the competition: comedian Donna Preston; Gladiator Emily Steel; former ballet dancer Eric Underwood; actor Nitin Ganatra and YouTuber Tom Simons aka ‘TommyInnit’.

Donna Preston said: “It’s a dream of mine! I want to do MasterChef to learn, to challenge myself, to work under pressure. I would absolutely love that trophy, but I’m really excited about the apron.”

Emily Steel said: “I love experimenting with recipes and ideas I find it so enjoyable cooking for other people - I’m really into presentation, and I always want to pair my food with a mocktail or nice drink”

Eric Underwood said: “Ballet dancers and food do not go naturally together but I want to change that perception. 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.”

Nitin Ganatra said: “I’m doing it for my mum who I was extremely close to. She was the best cook in the world. Food is first in our family. The first question she always asked was, “what do you want to eat?”. I’m a vegetarian and pre-diabetic; therefore, I have recently undergone a food revolution where I have explored cooking to utilise it in the healthiest way.”

Tom Simons aka. ‘TommyInnit’ said: “I’m excited because it looks like great fun, and I think I can make some basic but creative meals. I’m not a great cook but I will try really hard. It’s my first time on a proper TV show!”

Celebrity MasterChef is a Shine TV (part of Banijay UK) production for BBC One and iPlayer.