Reality TV stars Joey Essex and Scarlett Moffatt are among 12 celebrities competing in the sixth series of ITV's Cooking With The Stars, which returns next month. The pair will face former Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer and other famous faces in the kitchen.
Celebrity line-up and format
Each celebrity will be paired with an accomplished chef who will mentor them towards becoming restaurant-standard cooks. Emma Willis, who recently debuted as a presenter on Strictly, returns to host the series alongside comedian Tom Allen.
Essex, known for The Only Way Is Essex, Love Island and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, joins Moffatt, who rose to fame on Channel 4's Gogglebox. Hauer, who announced her departure from Strictly in March after 14 years, will swap dancing shoes for kitchen utensils.
Contestants and chefs
Gladiator star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, partnered with Hauer on her final Strictly series in 2025, is also competing. Five-time Olympic gold medallist Dame Laura Kenny, Emmerdale's Mark Charnock and TV presenter Zara McDermott complete part of the line-up.
Other celebrities include Happy Mondays and Black Grape member Mark "Bez" Berry, comedian Seann Walsh, presenter JB Gill, actresses Caroline Quentin and Lesley Joseph, and Birds Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph.
Professional chefs and hosting duo
Professional chefs mentoring the cast include Kate Austen, the first female chef to win the main course on BBC's Great British Menu in 2024, influencer and cookbook author Sam Holland, and Jean-Philippe Blondet, chef patron at three-Michelin-starred The Dorchester. Nokx Majozi, chef in residence at Fallow in London, and Soho restaurateur Angelo Sato are also involved.
Willis said she is "thrilled" to return, adding: "Year after year, our celebrities continue to outdo themselves, surprising us and the audience with their culinary capability." Allen said: "I admire our celebrities' confidence to showcase their cooking prowess by preparing dishes for a panel of esteemed chefs."
Cooking With The Stars is a partnership between Marks & Spencer, ITV and South Shore. The new series airs at 7.30pm on October 5 on ITV1 and ITVX.
