Funnyman Vic Reeves to give it some stick in the Celebrity MasterChef kitchen

VIC REEVES is preparing to stir things up in tonight’s opening episode of Celebrity MasterChef, which will see him compete against presenters Julia Somerville and Angellica Bell, snooker champ Stephen Hendry and French tennis ace Henri Leconte.

The first challenge to be faced by the quirky comedian — who is competing under his real name Jim Moir — and his showbiz rivals will be the Mystery Box.

All five celebs will be hoping to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace by preparing a two-course meal based on a selection of surprise ingredients.

Inevitably, one person’s culinary efforts will be deemed not up to scratch and they will be sent home.

Also competing are birthday girl Ulrika Jonsson (pictured below), who turns 50 today; S Club 7 star Rachel Stevens; Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington; and Paul Daniels’ widow Debbie McGee.

Singers Patti Boulaye, Lesley Garrett and Union J’s Jaymi Hensley join the 20-strong team, as do actors Tyger Drew-Honey (Outnumbered), Brian Bovell (Coronation Street) and Nick Moran (Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, pictured below).

Completing the line-up for the 12th season of the BBC One cookery show is Gogglebox’s Reverend Kate Bottley, comedian Abdullah Afzal, Radio 1’s Dev Griffin, kids’ TV presenter Barney Harwood and Scottish broadcaster Aasmah Mir.

Whoever wins will join the ranks of previous Celebrity MasterChef champions, including Kimberly Wyatt, Lisa Faulkner, Ade Edmondson, Sophie Thompson and Emma Kennedy.

Celebrity MasterChef airs at 8pm tonight on BBC One

Author: Anna Thomson