Former S Club 7 singer Rachel Stevens is slated to join the line-up for this year’s Celebrity MasterChef.
According to The Sun newspaper, the pop star and TV personality is the first star to have signed up for the forthcoming BBC series, which will air this summer.
A source was quoted as saying: “Rachel loves cooking and can’t wait to get into the kitchen.
“She’s a keen amateur chef and won’t be going home without a fight.”
Indeed, the former charts botherer showed her competitive spirit when she competed in the 2008 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Partnered with Vincent Simone, she lost out in the final to actor Tom Chambers, who is currently starring in Casualty.
The regular version of the BBC cookery show returns on Wednesday March 29 with 64 amateur cooks being put through their paces by hosts John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
Celebrity MasterChef follows a similar format and this year will see 20 famous wannabe chefs compete for the trophy.
Last year’s Celebrity MasterChef was won by former star of The Real Hustle Alexis Conran, as he triumphed over Louise Minchin and Jimmy Osmond in the final.
Conran was thrilled to win and said.
“I can’t believe it, I have been working up to this for so long, for this one moment.
“I am so very happy and relieved. My family are going to be so proud.”
Other previous winners of the series, which has aired since 2006, include Ade Edmondson, Lisa Faulkner – who is now in a relationship with judge John – Kimberly Wyatt and Sophie Thompson.