Celebrity MasterChef 2012

[Perdita]

Celebrity MasterChef will return next month for a new series, it has been confirmed.

The cookery show's seventh run, hosted as usual by Gregg Wallace and John Torode, will play out in an early evening slot on BBC Two.

A total of 16 celebrities will battle across 30 weeks of cooking challenges, culminating with the gruelling Critics' Table and final cook off.

Gareth Gates, Bucks Fizz member Cheryl Baker, Footballers' Wives actress Laila Rouass and Jamie Theakston are among the series' most high-profile stars.

Richard McCourt, better known as Dick from CBBC's Dick and Dom in da Bungalow, will also compete on the programme, as well as Michael Underwood, George Layton, Emma Kennedy, Zoe Salmon, Jenny Eclair and Javine.

Famous Olympians Steve Parry and Rebecca Romero and former England footballer Danny Mills make up the lineup.

Previous winners include Lisa Faulkner, Jayne Middlemiss, Liz McClarnon, Nadia Sawalha and Matt Dawson. Phil Vickery won Celebrity MasterChef last year.

[Perdita]

Celebrity MasterChef returns to BBC Two next week with Greg Wallace and John Torode back at the helm as hosts and judges.

This year's contestants include Pop Idol star Gareth Gates, actress Laila Rouass, radio presenter Jamie Theakston and Bucks Fizz Eurovision icon Cheryl Baker.

Zoe Salmon, comic Jenny Eclair, children's TV duo Michael Underwood and Richard McCourt, and actress Emma Kennedy are also taking part.

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Celebrity Masterchef 2012: Anne Charleston

Swimmer Steve Parry, footballer Danny Mills, George Layton, Diarmuid Gavin, Javine Hylton and cyclist Rebecca Romero complete the list.

Challenges for the celebrities will include cooking at The Royal Holloway University, Chessington World of Adventures, feeding former winners Lisa Faulkner and Phil Vickery and catering on the set of New Tricks.

Celebrity MasterChef starts on Monday, August 13 at 6.30pm on BBC Two. The show has returned to its evening slot, following complaints from fans after last year's celeb series aired on weekday afternoons.

[Perdita]

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