Herefordshire's Happy Mondays Bez to star on BBC MasterChef

Bez, who lives near Pontrillas, has been spotted in Hereford shops, such as Calandras in 2016, and most recently Hey, Honey!, which are both in Church Street.  

Eight famous faces are set to battle it out in two all-star festive specials of Celebrity MasterChef.

The specials, hosted by MasterChef judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode, will feature some of the most memorable celebrities from past series.

Bez, Lesley Garrett, Josh Cuthbert, and Iwan Thomas on Celebrity MasterChef (Image: BBC)

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In the first, Happy Mondays’ dancer and percussionist Bez, athletics world champion Iwan Thomas, pop star Josh Cuthbert and opera singer Lesley Garrett will compete for the title of Christmas champion and the Celebrity MasterChef Golden Whisk trophy.

The quartet will face two holiday-themed tests; cocktails and canapes, and the ultimate Christmas dinner.

In the first challenge the celebrities are tasked with recreating and embellishing Christmas canapes using ingredients found in a Secret Santa present box – matching it with their favourite cocktail.

As well as Wallace and Torode, they will present their creations to a special guest judge – comedian and presenter Judi Love, who was also crowned the 2021 Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Champion.

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The second episode will welcome back professional dancer AJ Pritchard, actor Chizzy Akudolu, British drag performer Kitty Scott-Claus and reality star and X-Factor winner Megan McKenna.

In their first challenge they will be tasked with creating a dish from seasonal leftovers, with Wallace and Torode this time joined by actress Lisa Faulkner, who took the Celebrity MasterChef crown in 2010.

They will then cook a dinner that they would serve at a New Year’s celebration.

Strictly Come Dancing star Pritchard admitted there were “definitely a lot of nerves” going back into the MasterChef kitchen, but that he would “go with the flow”.

“It feels absolutely amazing to be back in the MasterChef kitchen, especially at Christmas time in the festive spirit. There were definitely a lot of nerves going back,” he said.

“There’s always a bit more anticipation, especially with the invention test because you can’t really prepare, you just have to think on your feet and go with the flow.”

McKenna added: “My whole family are really big on Christmas so I’m buzzing that I’m here.

“I’ve actually been quite chilled coming here, but I know once I get in there my mind gets all muddled and I make silly mistakes, so let’s see what happens.”

Cuthbert said he felt there was “a lot less pressure” about returning to the show after being “a bit all over the place” last time around.

“It feels great to be back in the MasterChef kitchen at Christmas. There’s a lot less pressure this time so I’m actually going to try and enjoy every moment of it and soak it all in,” he said.

“Last time it was just a whirlwind, it was intense, and I was a bit all over the place – a shambles in the kitchen, some would say, so, I’m looking forward to this. It’s going to be fun.”

Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook-Off will air first on Thursday, December 23, on BBC One at 8pm.

The second special episode, Celebrity MasterChef Festive Extravaganza, will air the following week on Friday December 30 on BBC One at 9pm.