Former Steps singer Ian "H" Watkins has revealed a rather unusual request he made to the producers of Celebrity MasterChef before agreeing to appear on the BBC cooking show.
The 48-year-old pop star, known for his energetic performances and infectious smile, admitted to having zero cooking experience. "My culinary skills pretty much consist of an air fryer and a microwave," he confessed, adding that he hadn't even turned his oven on in three years. "I've got a small oven, and it's called an air fryer," he quipped.
Ahead of his appearance on the iconic cooking competition, Watkins appeared on ITV's Lorraine to discuss his time on the show. When asked by stand-in host Ranvir Singh whether he had enquired about air fryer availability prior to signing up, Watkins admitted, "Yes, I did. I asked point blank if there was one available, and they said 'no'."
Despite his lack of conventional cooking experience, Watkins revealed his motivation for taking on the challenge. "I wanted to change our family dynamic," he explained. "I have twin boys, and we've completely transformed the way we look at a menu and the way we prepare our food. It's not just takeaways anymore â we make our own pasta and pizzas outdoors."
Watkins candidly admitted to having never cooked for friends or family before. His "usual menu" consisted of "either a takeaway or tapas style 'picky bits' from a packet⦠or bring your own!"
The first heat of Celebrity MasterChef will see five new celebrities each week face the daunting "Under The Cloche" challenge, requiring them to create a dish from scratch showcasing their culinary prowess.
Celebrity MasterChef returns to BBC One on Tuesday, August 13 at 8pm. Will Watkins be able to conquer the kitchen without his trusty air fryer, or will he be the first to burn the "Under The Cloche" challenge?
