When is Celebrity MasterChef on? Latest updates on the 2021 series

Now that fans only have a few weeks to wait before their next MasterChef fix, plenty of people are wondering exactly when is Celebrity MasterChef on?

As the popular spin-off series draws ever closer, eager viewers are waiting to hear the latest updates. Here’s what we know about the show so far..

Celebrity MasterChef 2021 will air in the summer (Credit: BBC)

When is Celebrity MasterChef on?

Although there has been no exact date for the show so far, the BBC has confirmed that Celebrity MasterChef will take place this summer. In a statement to the press, commissioning editor for the BBC, Sarah Clay, declared:

“Celebrity MasterChef is one the highlights of the British summertime schedule and this series is as entertaining and charming as ever.

“The 20 brave celebrities are joined by a host of chefs at the top of their game in brand new tasks which makes this year feel extra special. The standard of cooking is like nothing we have seen before.”

READ MORE: How to apply for MasterChef 2022

This was followed by a comment from series editor Katie Attwood, who added:

“This year’s line-up promises a huge amount of humour and entertainment.

“Lockdown has proved productive for our famous faces’ culinary skills and we are set to see some exceptional talent and astonishing dishes as the celebrities swap their day jobs for a spot in the MasterChef kitchen.”

The show will run for six weeks and will enjoy a prime time slot on BBC One. Although we don’t yet have the exact dates, it promises to be a seriously exciting spectacle.

We’ll update you with further details as soon as we know more.

Khalaf is the most recent winner of Celebrity MasterChef (Credit: Alamy/PA)

Who won Celebrity MasterChef 2020?

After a closely fought series, presenter Riyadh Khalaf managed to win the Celebrity MasterChef 2020 title.

Khalaf won the competition after impressing the judges throughout with his stylish cooking, winning particular plaudits for his semi-final dish, movingly dedicated to his father.

Over the course of the series, Khalaf saw off competition from the likes of hockey player Sam Quek and comedian Judi Love.

READ MORE: Inside Gregg Wallace and John Torode’s complicated relationship

However, by the time Khalaf reached the final, he was cooking to a seriously high standard. As John Torode said of his final dishes:

“You look at those three dishes and I thought they were restaurant quality. Some people just get better, their food finer but more importantly more and more delicious. A deserved winner.”

In the end, there could only be one winner.

Katie Price is taking part in this year’s Celebrity MasterChef competition (Credit: BBC)

How much do Celebrity MasterChef contestants get paid?

Unlike the amateur version of the show, Celebrity MasterChef contestants do command a salary. In fact, past contestants have spoken openly about money being one of the key motivators behind taking part.

READ MORE: Meet the Celebrity MasterChef 2021 line-up

In an article for The Independent, comedian and 2013 Celebrity MasterChef contestant Shappi Khorsandi confirmed, “I did Celebrity Masterchef for the money.” She then went on to add:

“You get more the longer you stay in. I was pregnant, single, and I knew that if I got to the second round, I’d have made enough for a short maternity leave. I made it through, got my maternity leave money, then made a sandwich and got booted off.”

Unlike shows such as I’m A Celebrity, the exact salaries of contestants are unknown. However, Khorsandi’s testimony just goes to show that financial reward is a major consideration for competitors.

It certainly isn’t all for the love of cooking.

Filming for Celebrity MasterChef usually takes place in March (Credit: BBC)

When was Celebrity MasterChef filmed?

If previous series of Celebrity MasterChef are anything to go by, filming for this series will have taken place in March.

Usually, this schedule is a precursor to a July release date for the spin-off series. However, with all the complications around COVID, the date remains murky.

READ MORE: What do MasterChef: The Professionals winners get? Top prize explained

What we do know, based on the recent amateur series, is that the format will differ from previous years.

Due to social distancing restrictions, for instance, it’s unlikely that we’ll see any of the huge, 100-person catering tasks. Instead, the celebrities will, in all likelihood, be put through their paces in the MasterChef kitchen itself.

Here’s hoping that these limitations don’t restrict the drama.