Celebrity Masterchef
Tennis coach Judy Murray is hoping to serve up an ace in the final heat of Celebrity Masterchef…
WED THU FRI 22-24 July, times vary BBC1 Cookery
Benidorm actor Crissy Rock hopes to create some mouthwatering meals in this week’s final heat. She’s competing against Olympic champion rower Sir Matthew Pinsent, tennis coach Judy Murray, TOWIE’S Pete Wicks and Youtube star
Riyadh Khalaf.
CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF Wednesday-friday, times vary BBC1 Cookery
Q Why did you decide to do Celebrity Masterchef ? A The opportunity to do it came quite soon after my 60th birthday, and having hit 60, one of the things on my wish list was to learn to cook properly, so I thought, ‘It’s a sign!’ Gregg Wallace did Strictly with me in 2014, and I thought it was a chance to see him again! Q What did you make of the other celebs in your heat? A I think in these shows it works best if you have a mix of ages and interests. I loved all of the people that I got to meet, and we were all from completely different walks of life. Matt Pinsent and me are both from a sporty background, but two different sports. I didn’t know the others – Crissy Rock [Benidorm], Riyadh Khalaf [Youtube star] and Pete Wicks [TOWIE] – so I had no idea if they were going to be any good or not! Q How did going into the Masterchef kitchen for the first time compare to taking to the Strictly dance floor?
A It’s actually quite similar – it’s like, ‘Wow, this is what I see on my TV, and I’m actually going to have to do it now!’ It’s quite daunting when you’re stood behind your kitchen workstation and you realise this is not my cooker, these are not my utensils, these scales are electronic and I don’t do electronic scales. You immediately start to panic! Q How did you feel about being judged by John Torode and Gregg Wallace? A Whenever I’m being judged doing something that is not normally my thing, my ability to perform under pressure is terrible. I’ve spent most of my adult life coaching people at the top end of tennis to perform under pressure, but couldn’t follow my own advice! Q Did your sons Andy and Jamie offer any words of support when you told them you were doing the show?
A No, they’re always very rude about my cooking exploits! I think it’s because my mum was such a good cook and baker, but she loved doing it, and she comes from an era where she never worked, so she perfected so many wonderful things. It’s never been my thing, so their expectations of me on Masterchef were zero!