Celebrity MasterChef 2019: Meet this year's famous foodies

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The Celebrity MasterChef 2019 lineup has been unveiled, with popular stars from across the entertainment and sporting worlds battling it out for this year’s coveted trophy.

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Nadia Sawalha, Phil Vickery and Kimberly Wyatt, the eclectic new bunch will appear over the coming weeks, showing off their culinary prowess under the watchful eyes of judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

It’s a varied turnout for 2019 – with TOWIE star Joey Essex, Strictly Pro Oti Mabuse, transgender boxing promoter Kellie Maloney and The Chase quizzer Jenny ‘The Vixen’ Ryan taking on the challenge.

BBC bosses teased three of the line-up on Wednesday, ahead of the full announcement on Thursday.

French Death In Paradise actress Elizabeth Bourgine, 62, was the first to be unveiled, with Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti, 28, confirmed next.

Next was EastEnders actor Adam Woodyatt, 51, who was heavily rumoured to be taking part earlier in the year.

Adam – who for 34 years has played cafe boss Ian Beale in the British soap – will be hoping to win the title of MasterChef champion, currently held by last year’s victor John Partridge, who also happens to be his former-EastEnders co-star.

Next comes reality veterans Vicky Pattison, 31, originally of Geordie Shore fame, and TOWIE’s Joey Essex, 28 – both of whom went on to feature on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! after quitting their respective shows.

Another reality star, Gogglebox’s Dom Parker, 55, will also join the lineup, sans his wife Steph.

Into the mix: [L-R] Weatherman Tomasz Schafernaker and icon of design Dame Zandra Rhodes will be competing

Honey Love! Legend of Motown Martha Reeves, 77, who fronted Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, is battling it out

Reality royals: [L-R] Love Island’s Dr Alex and former-Queen Of The Jungle Vicky Pattison are competing

Last year’s favourite Love Isalnder Dr Alex George, 28, joins the fold, as does legend of Motown Martha Reeves, 77, who fronted Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.

Ex-boxing promoter Kellie Maloney, 66, is in good company with heavyweight boxing champ Dillian Whyte, 31.

The former previously appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, following her much-documented announcement that she was undergoing gender reassignment, formally being known as Frank.

More sportsmen come in the form of football hardman Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock, 51 – also an alumni of the I’m A Celeb jungle and the CBB house – and Olympic gold medalist Greg Rutherford, 32.

The Chase’s Jenny Ryan, 37 – also known as The Vixen – will be competing in a very different contest than she’s used to.

Famous foodies: [L-R] Adam Woodyatt has taken time away from Albert Square to compete while Greg Rutherford will bring his sporting spirit to the kitchen

Sporty spice: More sportsmen come in the form of football hardman Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock, 51 who is also an alumni of the I’m A Celeb jungle and the CBB house

Weatherman Tomasz Schafernaker, 40, DJ and lawyer Judge Jules, 52, and radio presenter Rickie Haywood-Williams, 39, are also battling it out for the accolade.

Comedian Josie Long, 37, actor and radio presenter Mim Shaikh, 23, icon of design Dame Zandra Rhodes, 78, and long-distance runner and former Marine Andy Grant, 35, round off the lineup.

BBC Commissioning Editor, Carla-Maria Lawson, said: ‘This Celebrity MasterChef has all of the right ingredients for a series full of entertainment, pressure and fun. Once again we have a brilliant variety of different characters and there will be some surprises along the way as they are put through their paces and pushed to their limits.’

Over six weeks and 18 programmes the celebrities will battle to take the trophy and become Celebrity MasterChef Champion 2019, each one being voted off as the weeks progress.