Ian 'H' Watkins brands BBC Celebrity MasterChef stint 'intimidating' as he opens up on show

The next six weeks will see 20 famous faces throw themselves into the biggest culinary challenge of their lives.

The first five celebrities donning MasterChef aprons this week are TV and radio presenter Craig Doyle, reality star Charlotte Crosby, TV and radio presenter Edith Bowman, TV and radio presenter Snoochie Shy and Watkins.

Talking about his experience, Watkins detailed how it felt to walk into the famous kitchen for the first time. He admitted it had been "intimidating" as he faced the strict judges for the first time.

"Intimidating, to say the least!" he admitted, explaining: "Now, I’m used to performing in the O2 arena - put me on a stage and I can do that with my eyes closed; ask me to boil an egg in front of John and Gregg and I fall to pieces!"

The two iconic judges will lose no time in setting the first task for the hopefuls – Under The Cloche. Taking it in turns, the celebrities will be seen picked a gleaming cloche.

Using the hidden ingredient they reveal, it’s then down to the famous faces to deliver a dish that gives that ingredient real superstar status.

Their next task will be providing an insight into what the celebrities like to cook for their friends as they are each tasked with producing two dinner party dishes that would wow the most demanding house guests.

Watkins detailed how his food usually goes down with family and friends, and he confessed: "Erm, it doesn’t! My usual menu consists either of a takeaway or tapas style 'picky bits' from a packet… or bring your own!"

When asked what his favourite dishes to cook and eat were, he replied: "I now really enjoy making pasta with the kids and that’s something I’d never tried before."

He continued: "Our favourite thing to make together is ravioli, which my children now call 'pirate hat pasta'.

"We all get properly stuck in and completely involved and it’s now one of my favourite things to do with my children. My favourite food to eat, hands down, is pizza. That always goes down a storm!"

Detailing his reasons for wanting to be on the show, he explained: "I wanted a challenge to sink my teeth into.

"I am known by my friends and family for not being able to cook up until this point!

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"When it comes to cooking, I’d say that I’m an expert with the air fryer and the microwave, so I wanted to take on Celebrity MasterChef to develop a skill that I could involve my children and family with going forward."

A BBC synopsis for the series reads: "Expect the unexpected, as Celebrity MasterChef fires up the stoves once more, for the first of four weeks of heats.

"Some of the UK’s brightest celebrity talent are in the wings ready to take on the challenge, but only the most fearless will cope with the demands of the competition.

"The race for the title kicks off in style and those who bring their A-list game across the week will win a place in this Heat’s Quarter Final."