A day gaming!’
Celebrity MasterChef and Rak-Su star Myles Stephenson on why he can’t get enough of staying in
If you watched Rak-Su singer Myles Stephenson on I’m A Celeb last year, you’ll know his fellow campmates crowned him king of cooking. So naturally he jumped at the chance to compete in this year’s
Celebrity MasterChef.
Myles, 28, is part of the line-up for heat one, alongside former footballer John Barnes,
The Apprentice’s
Thomas Skinner,
Death In Paradise’s
Shyko Amos and comedian Judi Love. But can he stand the heat of the kitchen?
The BBC show was filmed prelockdown, but Myles has kept up the cooking since. Plus, after suffering a snowboarding injury earlier in the year, he’s taking this time to recover.
Here, single star Myles reveals the one TV show he’s been watching, what he’d make for a romantic meal and his exciting music plans…
Hi Myles! How’s lockdown been for you?
It’s alright. I’m an introvert, so I like staying indoors… a lot! I had an injury a few months ago, which means standing up for too long takes a bit out of me, so I’ve definitely had time to rest.
What have you been up to?
I don’t really watch TV. The only thing I’ve seen a fair bit of is Homes Under The Hammer. Apart from that, I’ve been gaming. I’m a massive gamer and have been playing in a few tournaments. I like Fortnite, Call Of Duty, Red Dead Redemption, Days Gone and
Stranded Deep. If I’m not in the music studio, I can spend eight to nine hours a day gaming.
What’s the plan with your music?
I’ve been making a lot. Me and the boys have just released a song called Palm Trees, which we wrote during the
X Factor process. We’ve also got an EP coming very soon, and I’ve got some solo stuff I’m going to release as well. It’s been very busy!
Why did you want to take part in Celebrity MasterChef?
I just love cooking in general. I always have. I like to think that I’m a half-decent cook and growing up I’ve watched the show and have always wanted to do it. I wanted to have fun at the same time as testing my skills.
Are you competitive?
Very. Growing up playing sports, I’ve always had a strong competitive side to me. Even musically, when it comes to writing verses, I’ve always wanted to make a better verse than my bandmate Ashley [Fongho], or write a better chorus than Jamaal [Shurland]. I just like a bit of healthy competition to push me further.
Was the competition on the show tougher than you thought?
I wouldn’t say it was harder, but when you get thrown into cooking with cameras in front of you and real chefs eating your food, everything you’ve planned goes out of the window.
You end up freezing.You know what you should be doing but you forget. The pressure gets to you.
What was your favourite challenge?
I loved going to a restaurant and pretending to be a professional chef. Cooking for paying customers was really fun. That was easy because I was being told what to do and I wasn’t thinking off the cuff.
Which judge were you most scared of, John Torode or Gregg Wallace?
John. He’s a straightto-the-point Aussie. I hadn’t met either of them previously, but even walking in to see their faces on the first day, John scared me. When Gregg walked around, he wouldn’t give too much away, but there would always be a glimmer in his eyes. Whereas, John walked over, said nothing, pulled a face and walked off. He’s got a good poker face. But they were both lovely and very encouraging.
How did it compare to cooking on I’m A Celeb?
Two totally different things. The only reason I would say it was harder in the jungle is because food means so much when you’re there. You don’t have much of it and if you don’t cook the rice to perfection, people can get grouchy about it.
Tell us about your biggest kitchen fail…
Cooking-wise, it was my first attempt at Beef Wellington on Christmas Day when I was 17. I butchered it. People probably got friction burns from how dry it was!
What’s your signature dish?
Something like jerk chicken, curry goat or a Caribbean chicken or turkey soup. My nan would always use turkey instead of chicken.
I also love making Italian dishes. I’ve got a pasta machine and I enjoy making pizzas from scratch, too. I’m
just a big foodie.
What would you make for a date?
Italians are romantic, so I’d maybe choose pasta. But if I’m on a date and with someone who eats messily, it’s probably not the best thing to do. I could reenact the Lady And The Tramp scene.
Who would you invite to your dream celebrity dinner party?
Justin Bieber, Morgan Freeman, for his voice, Denzel Washington and Cristiano Ronaldo – or Lionel Messi.