Cooking With the Stars line-up features Taskmaster, Strictly and Countdown celebrities

Virgin Radio

2 Apr 2024, 13:51

Virgin Radio’s very own Tom Allen returns to host a new series of Cooking With the Stars for 2024 alongside Emma Willis, and the celebrity line-up has been revealed.

The hosts will be joined by a number of familiar faces for the show's fourth series, including a Taskmaster champion, a former Strictly pro and some ex-Strictly contestants (including one winner), a Countdown icon and legend of the running track.

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Pasha Kovalev will head into the kitchen, alongside Paralympian Ellie Simmonds, who featured in Strictly in 2022. Completing a hat-trick of Strictly stars is 2013 champion and podcaster Abbey Clancy.

Meanwhile, Taskmaster winner and stand-up comedian Katherine Ryan will also compete, as will Countdown legend Carol Vorderman, athlete Linford Christie, TV host Christopher Biggins and YouTube star Harry Pinero.

The stars will be mentored by professional chefs and take on a number of culinary challenges as they bid to be crowned the winner.

Co-host Tom Allen said: “I cannot believe how lucky I am to watch another batch of celebrities - all pretty much clueless in the kitchen - turning out the most amazing dishes.”

The Virgin Radio UK presenter added: "All in a bid to get their hands on my golden frying pan. Emma and I are back in the Cooking With the Stars kitchen and we are over the moon!”

Presenter Emma Willis said: "I'm so excited to be heading back into the Cooking With the Stars kitchen alongside Tom for an all new series.

"We have a brilliant new line-up of celebrities who are set to be put to the test.

"You never know what their capabilities are, which makes it a lot of fun. And if we're lucky, we get to mop up the leftovers from the worktops!"

McFly’s Harry Judd won the first series in 2021, This Morning's Dr Ranj emerged as champion in 2022, while Corrie’s Samia Longchambon picked up the title last year.

Cooking With the Stars will air on ITV1 and will also be available on ITVX.

Listen to Tom Allen Sundays, 12.30pm - 4pm, on Virgin Radio UK,