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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Serena Richards

Celebrity MasterChef finalists open up about series - including high points and fears

The latest series of Celebrity MasterChef has reached its final, with musician Danny Jones, singer Melanie Blatt and TV presenter Lisa Snowdon competing to be the winner.

The trio have shown off their culinary skills throughout the BBC series but face one more challenge. They must cook a faultless three-course meal within just two hours.

As always, they will be judged by John Torode and Gregg Wallace. They have kept a watchful eye over this year's contestants, who have been whittled down in recent weeks.

Ahead of the final tonight, the three finalists have spoken about the experience. They have shared their favourite dishes, their high points, their fears and discussed friendships.

Danny Jones

Danny Jones is among the finalists this year (BBC/Shine TV)

What was your high point of the series?

My theatrical dish. I never thought I'd be serving food in a guitar case, it felt like it was the band on stage but in a dish!

What were your fears for the final?

At the final you've got nothing to lose, I wanted to make everything taste, look and be presented as good as I practised it.

My biggest fear was to get my lamb perfectly cooked.

Who are you closest to out of the other contestants?

I was close with all of the last seven really. If one of us were worried about something we’d help them out, so it was quite nice having that.

Would you ever try mastering the art of baking?

It's different. I'm still at the beginning of my journey with cooking. I’m getting way better. Baking used to scare me more but it's almost easier because it's all measured out.

It's almost like, if I've done those measurements right, I just shove it in the oven and it should be all right.

Have you surprised yourself with this experience?

I have. I've just gained a comfortable vibe in the kitchen. For me, cooking was mindful. I feel like now I've levelled up on it and to be in the final three is such a cool experience and I'm so proud.

Is there anything you would never cook again?

Shepherd's Pie. It's haunting me - I've got P(ie)TSD!

Melanie Blatt

Melanie Blatt has also reached the final (BBC/Shine TV)
She's best known as a member of All Saints (Getty Images)

What was your high point of the series?

Mary Berry!

What were your fears for the final?

Everything - absolutely everything!

Who are you closest to out of the other contestants?

We really got on well, we had a blast. I've got to say, I completely fell in love with Cliff [Parisi].

Would you ever try mastering the art of baking?

I'm not a baker but I've got a taste for it now. Challenge me with anything, except for something like bungee jumping.

If you had to choose one meal, what would your final meal be?

Big Mac for starter, pizza for main and spag bol for dessert, with a side of mac and cheese.

What is your first memory of cooking?

I remember cooking when I was 11 and we were in a canal boat in King's Cross. It was a tiny kitchen where I made my first spaghetti and tomato sauce.

Was there a moment when something dramatic happened or you thought you'd lost control of a dish?

I'd have to go back to my chocolate cake. Luckily the show made it look like it wasn't as bad as it was but it was terrible.

Have you surprised yourself with this experience?

Yes. It's ignited a passion in me I'd like to explore further.

Lisa Snowdon

Lisa Snowdon will be competing in the final too (BBC/Shine TV)

What was your high point of the series?

The dish for my Nan. It's a dish she would always order for a Sunday lunch but she used to make it too. So, I wanted to do a take on my Nanna’s Crème Brulée, give it a little bit of a British twist by calling it a Trinity Burnt Cream and adding gold leaf.

What were your fears for the final?

The jeopardy of cooking duck. I'd cooked Anna Haugh's dish which was Duck and Waffle - I got it out of the oven and cut it straight away.

That was a big learning curve, so I said to myself, 'If I get through to the final I’m going to cook duck'.

Who are you closest to out of the other contestants?

I got really close to Kitty, Ryan, Adam and Katya. I knew Mel from MTV. I love Jimmy Bullard and Lesley Joseph as well.

Was there a moment when something dramatic happened or you thought you had lost control of a dish?

The baked Alaska was quite hard. It was all stuff I’d never done, I got home and just cried as I'd found it really hard.

The next day was the Crème Brulée so I said, 'I have got to do this dish proud for my Nanna' and then this little Robin hopped into the garden and I thought, 'This is a sign'. I'm superstitious like that.

Have you surprised yourself with this experience?

I massively surprised myself that I not only did well but that I did it in the first place and kept calm, for the most part.

The latest series of Celebrity MasterChef concludes with its final tonight (September 22) on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 8.30pm. Catch up on the series through the iPlayer now.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct 0207 29 33033.

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