Published: 07:00 pm, 18 December 2025
(Image: BBC/Shine TV)
The Celebrity MasterChef 2025 Final has arrived just in time for Christmas. At the end of five weeks of tough and exciting competition between 15 stars, the strongest three remain as they face off for the title.
The journey so far has seen rugby legend, Alun Wyn Jones, author and broadcaster Dawn O’Porter and drag artist Ginger Johnson, deliver some outstanding creations, worthy of a place on any professional chef’s menu, so viewers are in for a night of outstanding cookery.
Each celebrity will need to prepare a three-course meal in three hours, and every single dish must show just how far they have come and the experience and skills they have learned on their Celebrity MasterChef journey. Bells and whistles will need to be executed to perfection. The trophy is within touching distance, but the tiniest flaw could see them lose their grip.
Judges Grace and John’s expectations will be through the roof. They will be hoping for each finalist to do them proud, but in the end, they will need to reward the one who has managed to outcook and outshine their fellow contenders.
As the series reaches its nail-biting conclusion, one will be crowned Celebrity MasterChef Champion 2025.
CQ
Alun Wyn Jones
Rugby Legend
(Image: BBC/Shine TV)
What has been the highest point of the series for you?
I’ve enjoyed it all to be honest, even some of the pressure – despite it probably not looking like I have! I was lucky to be in a Heat with some great people, which made things a tad easier. But I think probably my top moments would be between the palate taste challenge and the putting on a performance, wearing fancy dress on national television. It was a bit of a leap for me, but the gamble paid off. I just hope it was the food and not the outfit!
How does it feel to be in the Final Three? Did you see yourself getting this far?
It’s all a bit surreal really. When I played rugby that was always the aim – to get to finals. But when it came to cooking, I didn’t really know what to expect from myself, particularly against some stiff competition. So no, I definitely didn’t expect to get this far. Looking back, I’ve probably been more competitive than I was expecting. So, to go all way has been a bit of a journey!
What has been the most challenging element of taking part in the competition?
I’m not going to lie but there were nerves going into it. I think I settled into it a bit but the biggest thing was time. With being timed in the MasterChef kitchen and multiple courses and plates – time can do strange things to you and potentially make you forget your seasoning!
Have you learned anything about yourself during the process?
Yes I’ve now got loads of food tips and tricks that I hope I remember. I learned that kids are in fact Michelin-starred chefs and could tell me where I went wrong. That side has been fun to see them get into. Plus, they will be asking me for Swiss or Italian meringue for the foreseeable future!
What do you think might be your edge over the other two finalists?
Hopefully my consistency. I’ve had my ups and downs, but I would like to think I’ve been relatively consistent. Still trying the chase BOLD flavour though, that’s still ringing in my ears.
But it will be tough – Ginger’s imagination and flair has been great to watch and Dawn’s knowledge and the things they tried have been super impressive, so we’ll see!
What are you focused most on ahead of the final Celebrity MasterChef cook off?
Trying not to undercook anything! I’ve said before, three hours for three courses, essentially served at the same time sounds doable but having done some of the challenges with the time and delivering a lot of plates, I know things can unravel quickly. But ultimately want to enjoy it and anything can happen!
Dawn O’Porter
Author and broadcaster
(Image: BBC/Shine TV)
What has been the highest point of the series for you?
Getting to be totally consumed in food was the real buzz for me. Usually, I’m planning meals around family life and book deadlines, but for MasterChef, I was all in the experience for the whole time I was on the show, and that level of immersion was so fun. I’d stay up late practising recipes and sleep with a notebook by the bed for when inspiration struck. I was obsessed.
How does it feel to be in the Final Three? Did you see yourself getting this far?
I had a few moments along the way when I really thought I was going home, so I definitely had some nervous moments. The further you get, the closer that finish line gets and the more you have to step up your efforts. I’ve given it 100% and stayed really focused. I felt like if I stayed true to who I was and poured love into all of the food I made, I’d have a good chance of getting to the final.
What has been the most challenging element of taking part in the competition?
It’s been hard being away from home so much. That, on top of the brain power it takes to come up with all of those recipes, has been exhausting. I’ve found myself being so tired, but then the energy of the studio gives me a massive energy boost. I become a bit of a machine. I spend most of my time sitting alone writing, so I’ve loved being under that pressure and around other people. It’s a million miles from my usual life.
Have you learned anything about yourself during the process?
Yes, that food really is my greatest passion. That I am extremely emotional about it, and that the act of feeding people is as important to me as the eating itself.
What do you think might be your edge over the other two finalists?
I have cooked for a really long time, so I think I understand flavour on a technical level. I feel skilled in many areas of cooking because I’ve tried so many things over the years. And everything I cook comes with a story and a personal connection; I think you can taste that in my food.
What are you focused most on ahead of the final Celebrity MasterChef cook off?
It’s always about timing. By instinct, I take a lot on because I like to serve big food. Feeding people is my love language and to do that, I need to present them with lots of things. So my challenge is always having too much to do in the time I have. But I’m not holding back for the final. I’m pulling out all the stops. Go big or go home!
Ginger Johnson
Drag artist
(Image: BBC/Shine TV)
What has been the highest point of the series for you?
The whole competition has been a joy, which makes it tough to choose one moment. I was really proud of my alternative Christmas dinner that I dedicated to my dad, because it felt very personal and I think I managed to do him proud. Who knows – maybe turkey is off the menu this year in the Johnson household!
How does it feel to be in the Final Three? Did you see yourself getting this far?
I absolutely cannot BELIEVE I’m in the Final Three! When I first stepped into the kitchen I expected to crack a few jokes (and crack a few eggs) and be on my way home by the end of the week. But I had so much fun that I was desperate to stick around, so the competitive side jumped out and here I am.
What has been the most challenging element of taking part in the competition?
Drag queens are notoriously bad at timekeeping and this whole competition is an exercise in time management, so that has certainly been a challenge. It’s also very tricky to be around all of the delicious food being prepared without the opportunity to eat any of it!
Have you learned anything about yourself during the process?
I have learned that enormous wigs have no place in a competitive cooking competition! I spent most of my time in the kitchen feeling like the Incredible Melting Woman.
What do you think might be your edge over the other two finalists?
I think it’s a really even playing field and truly anyone could take home the trophy! Both Dawn and Alun Wyn are amazing cooks with fabulous ideas and a huge amount of technical skill – I’m going to have to pull something really special out of the bag to come anywhere near beating them… but I may have a surprise or two up my sleeve!
What are you focused most on ahead of the final Celebrity MasterChef cook off?
As with all of the challenges so far, I have set myself a huge amount of work to do in a relatively short amount of time. I’m really going to be pulling out all the stops, collecting up all of the skills I have learned throughout the competition to bring them together in my final menu. It’s going to be about keeping all the plates spinning at the same time and trying not to drop them before they make it to the dinner table.
Follow for more
