Paddy McGuinness, Angry Ginge and Zoe Ball are set to appear on Celebrity MasterChef as guest judges in the upcoming 21st series, which begins on BBC One and iPlayer on Tuesday, August 18.
The BBC released a first-look trailer on Friday afternoon (August 7), confirming the new series will run for five weeks. This Morning's Paddy McGuinness, I'm A Celebrity winner Angry Ginge (real name Morgan Burtwistle), and former Radio 2 host Zoe Ball will each appear during one of the three contestant heats, where they will set a bespoke culinary brief and decide who advances to the quarter final.
Judging panel and contestants
Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli and food critic Grace Dent will serve as the main judges, guiding contestants through what the BBC describes as 'a sensory assault course'. The series synopsis promises a 'glittering line-up of celebrities from the worlds of music, drama, comedy, sport and showbiz'.
This year's contestants include comedian Donna Preston, Olympic medallist Emily Campbell, Gladiator star Emily Steel, presenter Eric Underwood, broadcaster Jason Mohammad, and The Wanted's Jay McGuiness. Also competing are Joe Pasquale, Paralympic athlete Lauren Steadman, YouTuber Max Fosh, DJ Melvin Odoom, former EastEnders actor Nitin Ganatra, TV personality Shakira Khan, Sue Cleaver, YouTuber Tom Simons (TommyInnit), and singer Una Healy.
Format and prize
The first three weeks feature three heats with five celebrities each, with the top four from each heat progressing to the quarter final. Week four brings the semi finals, followed by finals week, where one contestant will be crowned Celebrity MasterChef 2026 Champion and take home the iconic trophy.
Last year's series was won by drag artist Ginger Johnson, who beat fellow finalists Alun Wyn Jones and Dawn O'Porter in the finale.
