Interview with BBC Celebrity MasterChef 2023 contestant Dani Dyer

What made you want to do Celebrity MasterChef?

I've always been a massive fan of the show. I've loved watching it as a viewer and I am fan of John and Gregg. I think when I got asked it was quite an honour. It was something fun and different to do and definitely something out of my comfort zone.

What was it like meeting John and Gregg for the first time?

I was scared of meeting them but they're so lovely, they were so warm. I walked in and my heart was pounding out my chest but they’re really friendly, so it puts you at ease a little bit.

What was it like walking into the MasterChef kitchen?

I was shaking walking into that kitchen! We were all standing there going ‘who’s going in first, who’s going in first?’ No one wanted to walk in first but that moment of walking in was just... oh my god it was so scary.

How have you prepared to take on the challenge?

I think I just took loads of deep breaths and thought right, this if what I've got to work with. You can't take it too seriously, can you? You’ve just got to laugh. If in doubt, laugh.

What do your family think of your cooking?

My family do love my cooking. My mum doesn't like my biscuit making, so I’ve never made biscuits again! They’ve got a lot of faith in me and they say that they love my food. I have to believe my mum, if she doesn’t like something, she lets you know. There are no fake responses. My mum is scarier than John and Gregg!

What would be your desert island dish?

I really, really love a takeaway meal. You cannot go wrong. Prawn crackers with rice, chips and curry sauce – an absolute dream.

What are the three things you always have in your fridge and why?

Milk, eggs and butter. They’re the three essentials, right?

Favourite dish to cook at home?

I do love chili con carne. I love to cook that, and I love a curry.