Celebrity MasterChef 2026: Exact date and time it starts as all 15 contestants confirmed by BBC
The line-up is now completeCelebrity MasterChef is returning for another series and the line-up is now complete thanks to five more famous faces signing up to the show – but when does it start?
The BBC has now confirmed all 15 celebrities taking part, with five competing in Heat 1, five in Heat 2 and another five joining Heat 3.
They’ll all be hoping to impress the judges with their cooking skills as the competition gets underway.
Here’s a look at everyone who has been confirmed, plus everything we know about the new series ahead of its return.
Celebrity MasterChef 2026: Heat 1
Comedian Joe Pasquale
Comedy genius Joe Pasquale is heading into Celebrity MasterChef 2026.
Joe is famed for his high-pitched voice. Over the years, he has fronted his own show The Joe Pasquale Show, performed countless stand-up shows and has appeared in multiple theatre productions.
Joe, 64, won I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in 2004, but can he win Celebrity MasterChef?
Joe says he is a “huge fan” of the show.
He adds: “I love a good challenge. I don’t like to be in shallow water; I love the deep end. And I love the adrenaline that goes with pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.”
Jay McGuiness heads into the MasterChef kitchen
Jay McGuiness is set to show off his culinary skills in Heat 1 of Celebrity MasterChef 2026.
The star, 36, is best known for being a member of boy band The Wanted. Jay also won the 2015 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
He’s not the first Wanted star to try his luck in the MasterChef kitchen. Jay follows in the footsteps of bandmates Max George and the late Tom Parker.
Jay says: “My bandmates Tom and Max had a great time on the show, and I was so impressed watching them! I like challenges and learning new things. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Jason Mohammad joins Celebrity MasterChef 2026
TV and radio presenter Jason Mohammad says he is “passionate about feeding people”.
The Welsh star, 52, is best known for hosting BBC Wales Today. He’s also hosted for the Beeb for multiple Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games during his career.
Ahead of his Celebrity MasterChef stint, Jason has shared his go-to dish to impress his family and friends.
“To impress guests, I would cook minced lamb kebabs with chilli and salt, coriander chicken curry with basmati rice and then a chocolate torte with ice-cream,” Jason says.
Yum – what time should we be round, Jason?
Emily Campbell signs up
Emily Campbell is heading into the MasterChef kitchen this year.
The 32-year-old is a professional weightlifter and Olympian. She won silver at Tokyo 2020 and bronze at Paris 2024.
Emily is a huge MasterChef fan and is a dab hand in the kitchen. She is also used to knocking up dishes for multiple people.
“I cook as two people, Emily the Athlete, and Emily the person. While I’m training, I have to consume 3,500 calories daily to stay fuelled,” Emily says.
“I find it much easier being the chef for multiple people, not just one. I’m usually the chef on training camps for my athlete friends.”
Shakira Khan takes on Celebrity MasterChef
Shakira Khan is waving the flag for the Love Island alumni. She appeared in the 12th series of the ITV2 reality show last summer.
This year, 23-year-old Shakira has been the co-host of the Love Island companion vodcast, The Debrief.
Shakira describes herself as a “simple cook”. She is hoping to wow the judges with some “sick dishes”.
“My dad is an amazing family cook. He has been tutoring me ahead of the competition, whereas my mum would burn fish fingers,” Shakira admits.
“I learnt about Pakistani heritage from my dad. We ended up fusing cuisines and creating dishes like Keema Spaghetti Bolognese or curried beans on toast.”
Celebrity MasterChef 2026: Heat 2
Nitin Ganatra
Actor Nitin Ganatra is best known for playing Masood Ahmed in EastEnders. He also has other big credits to his name, with roles in Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Netflix’s Wednesday.
But does he have what it takes to win the silver whisk?
Nitin, 58, says he is doing Celebrity MasterChef for his late mother, who he claims was “the best cook in the world”. Don’t expect anything too naughty on his plates, though.
“I’ve never been a fan of desserts because I grew up in a sweet shop, I had 18 fillings by age 18!” Nitin admits. “I’ve tried to eat ‘clean’ in the last few years, I’m obsessed with gut health. I try to cook Indian food without the oil and use dates instead of sugar.”
Donna Preston signs up
Actress and comedian Donna Preston describes her Celebrity MasterChef signing as “a dream”. The former Celebrity Big Brother star cannot wait to roll her sleeves up and get in the kitchen.
The 40-year-old describes her cooking style as “experimental” and believes her presentation skills are pretty good. But there is one thing you won’t be seeing Donna dish up to the judges.
“I love trying lots of things, but I will NEVER eat shark, fermented or not!” she says.
Fair enough!
Emily Steel – aka Dynamite
Gladiator fans will be excited to see Emily Steel in the MasterChef kitchen. Emily is better known to fans by her Gladiator name Dynamite.
The 23-year-old weightlifter will have no trouble lifting heavy pans and she already rates her cooking skills as 8/10.
Emily is a fan of Spanish cuisine, having preciously lived there. So expect to see some Spanish-inspired dishes on the table.
“I spent a lot of time in Spain for work, so I love tapas, patatas bravas, prawns, steak with chimichurri, croquettes, Manchego Cheese,” Emily admits. “I’d love to cook some tapas!”
Tom Simons – aka TommyInnit
YouTuber and stand-up comedian Tom is making his television debut. Known to his followers as TommyInnit, he excitedly admits: “It’s my first time on a proper TV show!”
Tom, 22, admits he isn’t the best cook but was taught by his parents aged 17. He had moved into his own flat and his parents would teach him over FaceTime.
“A dish that reminds me of my childhood is pasta, broccoli, bacon and cheese!” he says. “My mum once let me have it for Christmas dinner.
“Most of my recipes are family recipes, I don’t tend to use cookbooks or websites.”
Ballet dancer Eric Underwood
Born in the US, Eric Underwood trained as a professional ballet dancer. He later moved to the UK and performed as a soloist with The Royal Ballet for more than a decade.
Since hanging up his ballet shoes, Eric has continued to work across dance, fashion and television. He also mentors young performers and advocates for greater representation in the arts.
Eric, 42, is keen to change people’s thinking that ballet dancers don’t eat much.
“Ballet dancers and food do not go naturally together but I want to change that perception,” Eric says. “I love cooking and entertaining – well I give it a go, and I’m very willing to learn and put effort into it.
“I live on a farm with my husband and we’re hoping to get into ‘farm to table’ – we grow our own veg and have cows, chickens, sheep, bees, we make our own honey.”
Celebrity MasterChef 2026: Heat 3
Lauren Steadman MBE
Paralympian Lauren Steadman is certainly an all-rounder when it comes to sport. But is she a gold medal-worthy chef too?
Lauren, 33, is confident she won’t fall foul of the pressure in the MasterChef kitchen thanks to her sporting background. Having won countless medals during her career in swimming and paratriathlons, she can keep calm when things heat up.
Lauren actually learned to cook at boarding school. She says: “Each child was encouraged to create one meal a week for the class; I specialised in fajitas and pasta bakes.”
These days, Lauren’s favourite dish to whip up is a curry. She’s also a fan of Greek, Iraqi, Colombian and Venezuelan dishes.
We think Lauren is one to watch!
YouTuber Max Fosh
We have our second YouTube star with Max Fosh. The comedian is best known for pulling off elaborate stunts and social experiments – including wild food videos!
For those who are not familiar with him, Max reveals: “I’ve done outrageous food videos for my career, like cooking a steak using lightning bolts, but it’s time I learnt a new skill.”
Max, 31, doesn’t class himself as a foodie, having been “brought up on a lot of beige food”. But he likes Italian dishes, and anything made with salmon or chicken.
The judges can also expect a helping of mayo with his food. He says: “I love mayonnaise! There aren’t many things I won’t eat it with.
“Someone once commented ‘you’re the human embodiment of mayonnaise’ on one of my YouTube videos, presumably to take the mick, but I take it as a huge compliment.”
Melvin Odoom for MasterChef 2026
Melvin Odoom is also trying his chances in Celebrity MasterChef 2026. The DJ and TV presenter, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, says his cooking is influenced by his Ghanaian and West African background.
Jollof rice was a favourite dish of Melvin’s growing up. But he has always steered clear of sushi.
“I can’t do sushi, or any raw or rare foods,” Melvin, 46, admits. “Blame Edwina Currie, she gave me a fear of Salmonella in the 80s! As a result of this fear, I do tend to overcook food a little.”
Like Max, Melvin also has a condiment he can’t live without – his is salad cream!
Loose Women’s Sue Cleaver
Sue Cleaver is a big fan of Celebrity MasterChef and is delighted to be appearing on the 2026 Celebrity series.
The former Coronation Street star, 62, says she is the main cook in her household and on Sundays, she likes to serve up a top notch roast dinner.
In fact, Sue, who is now a panelist on Loose Women, says a roast would be the one dish she could eat daily for the rest of her life.
However, when asked what would be found in her fridge, Sue said: “Parmesan, Greek yogurt and salad.”
They don’t sound like the ingredients for a roast, Sue!
Una Healy
Una Healy, best known for being one fifth of The Saturdays, is also one to look out for. The Irish singer loves cooking and is no stranger for whipping up meals for large numbers of guests.
“I once hosted 16 people by myself,” Una says. “For a starter, I made a Camembert cheese with bread and olives. I made two large lasagnes and a big bowl of salad on the side to share.”
Una, 44, admits she is “not a huge dessert person”. But if pushed, she would make an apple crumble with custard and cream.
We wouldn’t say no, Una!
Who are the Celebrity MasterChef 2026 judges?
It’s all change for Celebrity MasterChef 2026. The judges have once again been given a reshuffle.
Grace Dent is returning, but there’s a new judge in town. Giorgio Locatelli will be working alongside Grace following the departure of John Torode.
The chef and restaurateur already hosts the Italian version of MasterChef, so he will slot right in.
When does Celebrity MasterChef 2026 start?
The BBC has confirmed to TVGuide that Celebrity MasterChef 2026 will start on Tuesday August 18, 2026. The launch episode is scheduled to air at 9pm on BBC One. It will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Last year, the celebs were seen heading into the kitchen in November, so this is a real treat!
The series will then run for the remainder of the summer, with Heat 1 airing the first week, Heat 2 the next and then Heat 3 in week 3. As usual, Celebrity MasterChef will then end with the semi-finals and a big finale episode.
But who will be picking up the Golden Whisk this time? We can’t wait to find out!
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing 2026: Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly’s Graeme Hall joins this year’s line-up
