Former Love Island star Shakira Khan has earned a MasterChef pin on the BBC reality series Celebrity MasterChef, despite admitting her father will be 'fuming' watching at home.
Shakira Khan finished as runner-up in the 12th series of ITV's Love Island and later co-presented the companion podcast Love Island: The Debrief alongside winner Toni Laites and third-place finisher Yasmin Pettet. The 23-year-old from Burnley has now demonstrated a different set of talents as a contestant on this year's Celebrity MasterChef, with her heat episodes airing on BBC One this week.
Competitors and judges
Her fellow competitors include comic Joe Pasquale, TV host Jason Mohammed, musician Jay McGuinness and Olympic weightlifter Emily Campbell. They aimed to impress new judges food critic Grace Dent and Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli.
Before taking part, Shakira said: "I'm always up for a challenge and I love cooking, but I'm a simple cook. I'm good but I want to go out of my comfort zone and learn 'sick recipes', it will be fun. I want to make my family proud and show the flavours I grew up with. I also want to prove to myself that I can improve and surprise people."
Dad's reaction and cooking challenges
During the first episode she added: "My dad is such a huge fan of the show. If the judges don't like the show, my dad's going to be fuming."
For the signature dish challenge, Shakira prepared a chicken curry using a recipe inspired by her father, whom she calls 'Papa Khan'. However, her rice preparation was branded a 'disaster' by Giorgio, and Shakira herself called the outcome 'diabolical'. Despite this, the chef praised her dish, saying: "The combination of spices, I really, really like. It's very, very nice. The two sauces are very elegantly presented. I love it."
She later confessed: "I think my dad is going to have palpitations watching that back."
Victory and MasterChef pin
In the final challenge, the group had to replicate Giorgio's preparation of one of his gnocchi dishes. Shakira was told her creation distinguished itself from the rest and that her sauce was "absolutely perfect". She was declared the winner of the challenge and received a MasterChef pin.
The forthcoming episode broadcasting on Friday (August 20) will reveal whether Shakira can secure her place in the semi-finals of the contest. Celebrity MasterChef next airs on Friday at 8pm on BBC One and is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
