Celebrity MasterChef 2022, review: here's an unexpected treat – contestants you might have heard of

Recent series of Celebrity MasterChef (BBC One) have gone viral on social media for the wrong reasons. Each year, the BBC releases a photograph of the new contestants. Each year, there’s a resounding chorus of “Who?”. Out of 20 allegedly famous faces, you’d usually do well to recognise five.

The producers seem to have learnt their lesson. This year’s intake is less reliant on reality TV types and YouTubers, while the age range is wider, the field more eclectic. In the coming weeks, we can look forward to boxer Chris Eubank, choirmaster Gareth Malone, Birds of a Feather’s Lesley Joseph and The Wire’s Clarke Peters pan-frying their scallops and puréeing their minted peas.

The opening episode found McFly’s Danny Jones, children’s TV funnyman Paul Chuckle and “lawyer and media personality” Nancy Dell’Olio braving Britain’s most shouty, stressful kitchen. They were joined by a pair of hopefuls I’d never heard of (Faye Winter and Kae Kurd, anyone?) but three out of five ain’t bad, as Meat Loaf nearly sang.

Jones had an impressive palate and emerged as an early contender. Members of boyband McFly play the TV talent show game well, having already won Strictly and I’m a Celebrity. Don’t rule out Jones making it a hat-trick. Despite her surname meaning “olive oil seller”, the eerily ageless Dell’Olio was less promising. “I prefer someone cooking for me or going to beautiful restaurants,” she purred. What was in her fridge at home? “Water, wine and champagne” but no actual food. This didn’t augur well.

The winningly warm, gentle Chuckle riffed on his Chucklevision catchphrase by telling judge Gregg Wallace that his food tasted good “to me, to you”. And overall, the semi-famous five were of a decent standard – Nancy of the Oil aside.

Tottering around the kitchen in eye-wateringly tight leopardprint trousers and vertiginous heels, she didn’t look like a chef. She didn’t cook like one either and duly became the first contestant sent home. Ciao, bella. And maybe don’t cook your coleslaw next time.