Celebrity MasterChef Christmas specials 2020: who are the famous contestants and when does the show air on BBC?

To fill the void left by the Great British Bake Off, two new Celebrity MasterChef specials will air on the BBC over Christmas.

If that wasn’t news enough for fans of the cooking show, the festive specials will feature popular celebrity contestants from previous MasterChef series.

Eight well-known personalities are lined up for the show, and will attempt to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace with Christmas-themed dishes.

They will be cooking some seasonal staples that will undoubtedly look and taste incredible (for the most part).

The celebrities will also take part in the show’s Invention Test and Pairs Test, both of which will have a festive twist.

And MasterChef isn’t MasterChef without the contestants attempting to cook a two-course meal.

This year, the celebrities will have to serve up an Ultimate Christmas Dinner using seasonal ingredients, and another alternative Christmas dinner showcasing what they would really like to eat in place of the usual traditional ingredients.

Here’s the full celebrity line up, and when the show will air on BBC.

Who is taking part in the Celebrity MasterChef Christmas specials?

BBC bosses have managed to line up some famous faces for the Christmas specials, who fans will be sure to recognise from other seasons.

Janet Street Porter

Loose Women panellist Janet Street Porter featured in 2013’s cohort, narrowly missing out on being crowned winner after she was beaten by Ade Edmondson.

The broadcaster and journalist no stranger to the big screen, as she also appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! back in 2004.

Christopher Biggins

Actor Christopher Biggins is also well-versed in the realm of TV, and has appeared in a number of TV shows and pantomimes.

He appeared on 2014’s Celebrity MasterChef, and, like Janet, also featured on I’m A Celeb in 2007, which he ended up winning.

Dev Griffin

Although Dev’s more acquainted with the radio than TV, presenting his popular weekend afternoon show on BBC Radio 1, he’s taken part in a few shows.

As well as appearing on the 2017 MasterChef series, he also took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2019.

Vicky Pattison

Vicky will forever be known for her role in the original Geordie Shore cast, which is how she shot to fame.

Now, however, she’s a TV personality and businesswomen, appearing as a panellist on Loose Women and winning the 15th series of I’m A Celeb.

She reached the final of 2019’s Celebrity MasterChef, and was just beaten by Olympian Greg Rutherford.

Craig Revel Horwood

Best known for his role as the stone-faced judge on Strictly Come Dancing, Craig was one of the finalists on the second series of Celebrity MasterChef which aired 13 years ago.

After that, he did well when he appeared on Ready, Steady, Cook and also landed his own cookery slot on ITV’s Lorraine.

Amar Latif

TV personality and entrepreneur, Amar, was the show’s first-ever blind contestant in the latest series of Celebrity MasterChef, wowing the judges with his plates.

His big break came on the BBC reality series Beyond Boundaries, which followed a group of disabled trekkers through Central America.

Amar recently presented BBC Two’s Travelling Blind, which showcased his travels across Turkey.

Chrissy Rock

Actress Chrissy Rock is best known for her role as Maggie Conlan in the 1994 film Ladybird, Ladybird.

She also acted in the TV series Benidorm for four years, and took part in I’m A Celeb in 2011.

Like Amar, Chrissy was a contestant on the 2020 Celebrity MasterChef series.

Spencer Matthews

TV personality and entrepreneur Spencer Matthews is most famous for his former role in the cast of popular reality series Made in Chelsea.

He made it to the finals in the 2018 MasterChef, before losing to ex-EastEnders actor John Partridge.

Spencer also founded the Clean Liquor Company and Eden Rocks Diamonds.

When does Celebrity MasterChef Christmas special screen on TV?

Exact dates and times for the special series have not been confirmed by the BBC yet, but both episodes will screen over the Christmas period.