INTERVIEW WITH EMMA WILLIS AND TOM ALLEN

How does it feel to be back for a new series of Cooking With The Stars?

Emma: It feels sensational - I love it. I’ve got my telly husband and my real husband at work with me. It’s very difficult because I have to distribute my time evenly otherwise the other one gets jealous!

Tom: It’s a lovely time. We get to try loads of lovely food hence why I have to wear slightly larger waistcoats. Also, I get to wear Emma’s Spanx - this is what a great marriage we are, Emma shares her Spanx with me!

How does it feel to be back working together? How would you describe the dynamic between you both?

Emma: I think we’re a lovely little duo. Not only do our outfits always compliment each other if we’re being superficial, we look fantastic together but on a deeper level, I love Tom as a human being and I love working with him. He is a very busy man but I also love hanging out with him outside of work - I think that’s when you know it’s not just a work friendship. We were actually just planning a pilates class together.

Tom: Yes we have and I’ve been promised a stretch on her bed.

Tom: She calls it pilates! I’ve also been promised a go in Matt’s cold plunge.

Emma: Tom is going to come over and we’re going to have a little pilates session, cold plunge and then we’re going to have cocktails and sunbathe. That is our relationship.

Tom: I absolutely love spending time with Emma and I’ve learnt so much from Emma.

Emma: Tom’s had me over to his house already. He gave me M&S pizza and champagne and then we went to the theatre.

Tom: I’ve learnt so much from Emma because she is really good at talking to people on a sincere level whereas I take the p**s.

How are this year’s cast getting on? What do you think they all bring to the series?

Emma: I think one of the best things about this show is the cast because they always get a real mix of people from different areas of entertainment and you get people you haven’t
really seen on shows like this before. I think everybody would like to know how to cook and if you get the chance to be taught by the best on the planet then it’s a real draw to come on the show.

Tom: They all take it so seriously and everyone is a high achiever in their own field but suddenly they are all desperate to not let down their mentor and not let down themselves in front of other people.

Emma: It’s fun as well. You’re teaching someone an essential life skill - you have to eat! What you’re learning here will benefit lots of people around you. The judges are all absolutely brilliant. It’s a really nice time at work. We want this to be a happy and fulfilling place.

Matt is part of this year’s cast. What’s it like coming to work with your husband?

Emma: It’s really nice. We did I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here Now! together about 15 years ago - that was the last time we worked together. That is exactly why he signed up. He said ‘I just think it would be really nice for us to hang out together.’ He’s busy and I’m busy and we’re often ‘ships in the night’. He loves cooking and he’s really good at cooking. He was like ‘Why would I not do it?’ I get to learn how to cook and we get to hang out together which is really nice.

Any standout moments you can share?

Emma: Chris Eubank!

Tom: Every moment is mesmerising.

Emma: He’s fascinating. I can’t stop watching and listening to him. I am quite captivated by him. I love his positive outlook.

Tom: He is so positive. I think what's lovely about Cooking With The Stars is Chris has space to be himself and then you’ve got Claire being herself and Rosemary being herself - there is space for everybody. It brings all different people together with different outlooks on life. Food brings us all together.

Is it easy to determine from the beginning who could go all the way to end? Or have you been surprised previously who has actually made it far in the competition?

Tom: I always try but never get it right.

Emma: Who would have thought Joe Wilkinson would have got that far? Tom: He smashed it last year.

Do you guys pick up any cooking tips along the way?

Tom: We talk a lot about seasoning. Jack had that great phrase that chefs are home cooks who just know how to season better than anyone else - it does come down to that technicality. Rosemary said that seasoning is something you learn throughout your career so you never stop. That’s the appeal of cooking shows, I guess that you’re always learning something new or a new approach.
What is your favourite thing to cook or eat?

Emma: I love eating all food but I can’t pick between them - Indian or Italian are my go-tos every time. I do love Thai food as well. Something that sets your mouth alight like those three cuisines, they all give you an explosion and have a lot of variety.

Tom: I think we’re so lucky in this country that we have access to different cuisines and I think sometimes we take it for granted.

If you were hosting a dinner party, which three famous faces would you invite?

Emma: I would have Matt [Willis], I would have Elvis [Presley] and I would have Tom Jones. I’ve heard Tom’s stories about Elvis so imagine sitting down and listening to the two of them together talk about that whole period of the beginning of rock and roll. And I could not have them for dinner and not invite Matt! And if I can find another plate, Tom [Allen] can come too.

Tom: Elton John - the only reason I’m in show business is to meet Elton John, I would love to meet him once. Cary Grant. And is it Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler or Cher? One of the gay icons. Dolly Parton!

Who do you think would win in a cooking off between the two of you?

Emma: I think it’s really hard with the cook-offs because it’s one of those that you can’t predict. I wouldn’t want to be against Tom, you never want to go against somebody that you like.

Tom: That’s the problem here because the stars get really upset as they’ve known each other for 20 years!

ENDS