The five celebrities competing in the second week of Celebrity MasterChef heats have been put through their paces in a blindfolded taste test, where a wrong answer means elimination from the challenge and losing the chance to win an advantage in the next round.
Five new faces take on the culinary challenge
The BBC cooking show returns for its second week of heats tonight (August 25), with five new famous faces hoping to impress the judges. Taking part are Gladiator Emily Steel, known as Dynamite, actor Nitin Ganatra, YouTuber and comedian Tom Simons (TommyInnit), actor, comedian and writer Donna Preston, and retired Royal Ballet dancer and presenter Eric Underwood.
In a preview clip from tonight’s episode, available to stream now on iPlayer, the celebrities are forced to rely solely on their senses of taste and touch. They must identify mystery cubes of meat, fish, vegetables or fruit without being able to see what they are eating.
Judges set the blindfold challenge
Judge Giorgio Locatelli is seen holding a handful of blindfolds as he explains the task. “Since this challenge is about the palate and the palate only, you will be doing this blindfolded,” he tells the celebrities. The announcement catches Emily off guard, with the Gladiator gasping: “Of course.” Donna, meanwhile, jokes to the camera: “Get that blindfold on me, babes.” As Giorgio begins handing out the blindfolds, Emily admits: “Oh, I’m scared.”
Eric is the first to take the test, handed a small plate with a mysterious brown square food item. He picks it up, smells it, and takes a small bite. “It is kind of familiar but I’m not really sure,” he admits. Grace Dent jokes as he goes back for more: “He’s going in for a second bite.” After pondering, Eric guesses: “Umm, beets… like a beetroot?” Grace confirms: “You are correct. You’re still in the game.”
Donna and Nitin impress
Donna is next, presented with a green mystery square. After a bite, she struggles: “It’s hard. I’m thinking a fruit. Oh, my God, what is that?” She then declares: “Cucumber!” Giorgio confirms: “You are right.” The contestants applaud, with one shouting: “Whoop! Go Donna.”
Nitin Ganatra takes a bite almost immediately. Impressed, he exclaims: “Oh my God, this is so nice. It’s juicy, it’s fresh and I can take my time and…” Donna jokingly interrupts: “Just get it in your gob.” Nitin guesses: “I think it’s a pineapple.” Grace responds: “That was the noisiest eating we’ve had. And I’m happy to say you are correct.”
Pressure on Emily and TommyInnit
With Eric, Donna and Nitin successful, the pressure is on Emily and TommyInnit to prove their taste buds. Every wrong answer could send them out of the challenge. Viewers will have to tune in to find out who out-tastes their opponents and who is left struggling in the dark. Celebrity MasterChef is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
