Iain Stirling scoops Celebrity MasterChef’

'He’s cooking food of the people'

Iain Stirling was named Celebrity MasterChef’s Christmas champion last night by judges Grace Dent and John Torode.

The comedian and voice of Love Island outcooked reality TV star and podcast host GK Barry, Ted Lasso actor Kola Bokinni, and BBC disability correspondent Nikki Fox to claim the Golden Whisk trophy.

On his win, he said: ‘Oh wow, I’m made up! I think I’m a chef now. I think I’m quitting comedy and I’m going to be full-time, Michelin-starred chef.’

Torode says: ‘Iain’s a man who sticks to his guns. He’s cooking food that he truly loves – food of the people. He is a person who understands how to please a crowd, not just on a stage, but in the MasterChef kitchen.’

Dent added: ‘There’s a swagger when he gets behind those stoves and I’d be pleased to have an invite to his house for dinner any night.’

The four celebrities were asked to cook a Christmas Dinner for the judges and Stirling’s winning menu started with his main of whole cauliflower cooked with a bacon and cheese sauce, Chinese-style spicy chicken wings and long-stem broccoli, which John described as ‘delicious’.

His dessert was his mum’s banana and peach crumble served with rum and raisin ice cream and Grace told him: ‘I love the fact that you’ve really tried to make this look dainty.’