Celebrity MasterChef 2025: A New Chapter for the Iconic Cooking Competition

A Landmark Series Amid Significant Changes

Celebrity MasterChef returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for its milestone 20th series, bringing with it a fresh sense of anticipation and notable changes to the judging panel. The show makes its return on Monday, 17 November 2025, airing at 9pm, promising five weeks of culinary challenges and showbiz drama.

This year’s series holds particular significance for the long-running programme, as it navigates a period of transition following allegations that led to changes in the show’s presenting team. Food critic Grace Dent was confirmed to replace Gregg Wallace for the celebrity series, joining judge John Torode, who will leave the series after this season.

A Star-Studded Line-Up of Contestants

The 2025 series features an impressive roster of 15 celebrity contestants from diverse backgrounds. Stepping up to the plate are comedian Noreen Khan, reality TV star and documentary maker Ashley Cain, singer Alfie Boe, former rugby union player Alun Wyn Jones, and Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley. Additional participants include singer Antony Costa from Blue, Love Island’s Chris Hughes and Uma Jammeh, author Dawn O’Porter, and Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn.

Katie McGlynn expressed her motivation for joining: ‘I decided to do Celebrity MasterChef because I genuinely want to learn more about cooking’, reflecting the genuine enthusiasm many contestants bring to the competition.

What This Means for Viewers

The 2025 series represents both continuity and change for Celebrity MasterChef. As the show celebrates two decades on air, viewers can expect the familiar format of culinary challenges designed to test contestants’ cooking skills, creativity, and ability to perform under pressure. However, the new judging dynamic with Grace Dent brings a fresh perspective from the world of food criticism.

For fans of the franchise, this series offers a unique moment in the programme’s history—marking both an anniversary celebration and the beginning of a new era. The diverse celebrity line-up promises entertaining television as personalities from various fields navigate the demands of the MasterChef kitchen, with only one contestant ultimately claiming the coveted trophy.