Celebrity MasterChef Season 18: Meet The Chefs – Dani Dyer

BBC One’s highly popular show, Celebrity MasterChef, is returning for its 18th series. This summer, the competition is expected to be even more intense as famous figures from the world of music, comedy, drama, and show business compete for the title of Celebrity MasterChef 2023 Champion.

Over the course of six weeks, esteemed judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace will embark on a culinary journey, testing their taste buds and discovering which celebrities possess the palate and culinary prowess to impress them. These talented individuals will need to showcase their chopping, slicing, and cooking skills in order to have a chance at lifting the coveted Celebrity MasterChef trophy.

The competition begins with the Celebrity MasterChef Heats, and this week, the first five contestants taking on the culinary challenge are broadcaster and reality star Dani Dyer, actor James Buckley, comedian and actor Marcus Brigstocke, TV personality Mica Ven, and TV and Radio personality Richie Anderson.

Here Dani Dyer tells why she wanted to do the show and what her family think.

What motivated you to participate in Celebrity MasterChef?

I’ve always been a massive fan of the show. I’ve loved watching it as a viewer and I am fan of John and Gregg. I think when I got asked it was quite an honour. It was something fun and different to do and definitely something out of my comfort zone.

Can you share your initial impressions of meeting John and Gregg for the first time?

I was scared of meeting them but they’re so lovely, they were so warm. I walked in and my heart was pounding out my chest but they’re really friendly, so it puts you at ease a little bit.

Describe your experience of entering the MasterChef kitchen.

I was shaking walking into that kitchen! We were all standing there going ‘who’s going in first, who’s going in first?’ No one wanted to walk in first but that moment of walking in was just… oh my god it was so scary.

What steps have you taken to prepare yourself for this challenge?

I think I just took loads of deep breaths and thought right, this if what I’ve got to work with. You can’t take it too seriously, can you? You’ve just got to laugh. If in doubt, laugh.

What is your family’s opinion of your cooking skills?

My family do love my cooking. My mum doesn’t like my biscuit making, so I’ve never made biscuits again! They’ve got a lot of faith in me and they say that they love my food. I have to believe my mum, if she doesn’t like something, she lets you know. There are no fake responses. My mum is scarier than John and Gregg!

If you were stranded on a desert island, what dish would you choose?

I really, really love a takeaway meal. You cannot go wrong. Prawn crackers with rice, chips and curry sauce – an absolute dream.

In your fridge, what are the three things you always have and why?

Milk, eggs and butter. They’re the three essentials, right?

What is your favourite dish to cook at home?

I do love chili con carne. I love to cook that, and I love a curry.

Celebrity MasterChef Season 18 Premieres Wednesday 2 August 2023 at 9.00pm on BBC One and iPlayer.