Interview with BBC Celebrity MasterChef 2023 contestant James Buckley

What made you want to do Celebrity MasterChef?

I’ve got to do something haven’t I? I haven’t been in a TV show for about five years, and it's nice for the missus, get me out of the house for a little while.

What was it like walking into the MasterChef kitchen?

Really daunting. It's really, really daunting and nerve wracking. I'm not good at competitions, I don’t really like them, but I’ve actually really enjoyed myself, which I'm quite shocked about, to be honest.

How have you prepared to take on the challenge?

Very little preparation. I don't cook much. I did a little practice, and the practice just confirmed that I’m rubbish at cooking!

What do your family think of your cooking?

I don't cook a lot at home. My wife cooks for me and the kids because she makes sure they're fed properly and don't get food poisoning and stuff like that. So, I leave it up to her.

What would be your desert island dish?

Chicken tikka vindaloo, chips, garlic naan.

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

Three things I always have in my fridge. Milk, beer and butter. They are definitely three things that are always in my fridge at any one time.

Favourite dish to cook at home?

Cereal. I love cooking cereal, but even then, I get that wrong. The kids say I put too much milk in it.