Antony Costa on Celebrity Masterchef
Celebrity MasterChef returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn for its 20th series, filmed earlier this year and featuring new 2025 judge Grace Dent alongside John Torode.
The red carpet is rolling into the MasterChef kitchen once again, welcoming a dazzling line-up of celebrities from the worlds of music, drama, comedy, sport, and entertainment. This milestone series will see singers and sports stars, actors and authors, comedians, entertainers and presenters all stepping up to the plate — each hoping to cook their way to the title of Celebrity MasterChef 2025 Champion.
Over five thrilling weeks of culinary challenges, the judges will oversee a competition designed to push 15 celebrities far beyond their comfort zones. Acting the part won’t cut the mustard, and singing for your supper won’t guarantee success. Only one contestant will rise to the top and claim the ultimate prize — the coveted Celebrity MasterChef trophy.
Following in the footsteps of last year’s champion, professional dancer and choreographer Vito Coppola, the celebrities taking part this year are: Alfie Boe OBE, national singing treasure; Alun Wyn Jones OBE, rugby legend; Antony Costa, pop star and actor; Ashley Cain, TV star; Chris Hughes, TV personality; Dawn O’Porter, author and broadcaster; Gaz Choudhry MBE, Paralympian and actor; Ginger Johnson, drag artist; Jaki Graham, soul legend; Jamie Lomas, actor; Jodie Ounsley, Gladiator; Katie McGlynn, actor; Michelle Heaton, pop star; Noreen Khan, comedian; and Uma Jammeh, TV personality.
The series begins with three Heat weeks, testing the celebrities’ skills and nerve in the kitchen. Only the best will make it through the Quarter Finals, before advancing to the Semi Finals and, finally, Finals Week — where one star will lift the gleaming 2025 Celebrity MasterChef trophy.
Q&A with Antony Costsa
What made you want to do Celebrity MasterChef?
I wanted to do Celebrity MasterChef because I like to challenge myself. I'm always in the kitchen and I've always tried my best, but I want to improve.
What was it walking into the MasterChef kitchen for the first time?
I was literally so nervous walking in for the first time, I've never been that nervous in my life! I've done thousands of shows with the boys to thousands of people. I’ve performed in front of royalty, in front of big stars, but to walk into the Celebrity MasterChef kitchen for the first time in front of Grace and John was another experience!
How does your cooking go down with friends and family?
My family are really supportive, no matter where I get to in the competition they’ve said “We're proud of you go in there and learn.” So the main thing for me is to come away from Celebrity MasterChef having learnt. I can tell you that even from the get go, I’ve already managed to properly chop an onion. I thought I could chop an onion before, but now I can really chop an onion!
What is your favourite dish to cook vs. your favourite to eat?
I'm just basic so my favourite dish to cook, is steak and salad. I like steak and veg and I love red meat. One of my favourites to eat would have to be Greek Cypriot food, it just reminds me of being in Cyprus as a kid with my nan cooking – it brings me back to my childhood.
What is your ultimate comfort food and why?
For people who don’t know me, I grew up in the UK until I was about seven years old, and then I moved to Cyprus from the age of seven to 10, and it opened my eyes to Greek Cypriot food. Being half Cypriot, you look at the way they cook - the meat, the kebabs, the freshness, the salads, the onions, tomatoes, and you can really feel they love their food. I'm so proud of my heritage and when I smell that type of food it reminds me of home.