Celebrity MasterChef Welcomes New Contestants and Judges
Una Healy, the 44-year-old singer from The Saturdays, and Melvin Odoom, the 45-year-old BBC Radio 1 DJ, are reportedly preparing to showcase their culinary abilities in the upcoming series of Celebrity MasterChef. This marks the first season since the dismissal of long-time host John Torode, with the show now under the guidance of new judges Grace Dent and Anna Haugh.
Star-Studded Line-Up and Insider Details
According to an insider speaking to The Sun, the show is casting a diverse range of celebrities to test their cooking skills. The line-up is said to include Coronation Street actress Sue Cleaver, Strictly Come Dancing professional Lauren Steadman, and popular YouTuber Max Fosh. The source revealed, "Una loves cooking, especially Irish cuisine, so she cannot wait to show off her skills to new hosts Grace Dent and Anna Haugh. Melvin is more of a novice but he’s still a dab hand in the kitchen."
Background on the Host Changes
This year's series follows the controversial exits of former hosts John Torode and Gregg Wallace. Torode stepped down in July 2025 after allegations surfaced that he used a racist slur in the workplace in 2018. The BBC stated that an independent investigation substantiated the claim, involving "an extremely offensive racist term," and his contract was not renewed. Torode claimed he had no recollection of the incident and learned of his sacking through media reports.
Gregg Wallace was dismissed after an external investigation upheld 45 complaints out of 83 allegations regarding his behaviour, including inappropriate sexual language, culturally insensitive comments, and unwelcome physical contact. The BBC apologised for not addressing his conduct sooner. Wallace has since defended himself, arguing that the complaints represented a "pile on" rather than a sustained pattern, and has attempted to rebuild his career through social media ventures.
Recent Winners and Show Evolution
The previous celebrity series was won by RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Ginger Johnson, who triumphed over rugby legend Alun Wyn Jones and broadcaster Dawn O'Porter in a tense December finale. With Dent and Haugh now at the helm, the show aims to refresh its format while maintaining its popularity among viewers. The BBC announced the new judging duo in September, positioning them to lead the 22nd series of the programme.
As Una Healy and Melvin Odoom gear up for their kitchen challenges, fans anticipate a blend of entertainment and culinary drama in this revamped edition of Celebrity MasterChef.
