Celebrity Masterchef finals 2021: when is it on BBC One and who could win the show - including Kadeena Cox

The Celebrity MasterChef finals are finally upon us, as the remaining five stars take on the one of the hardest cooking programmes on TV.

From singers to comedians and football players, celebrities have spent the past few months turning their hand to producing restaurant quality dishes.

In the semi-finals, the contestants battled it out to impress guest judges and food critics Jimi Famurewa, Grace Dent and William Sitwell.

So, who impressed and won a place in the finals - and what is expected of them in the finals? This is what you need to know.

Celebrity MasterChef semi finalists 2021

Joe Swash

Former EastEnders actor Swash has been a bit of a cheeky chappy during his time on the show.

He told Repair Shop’s Will Kirk, during the initial heat stages: “Because your chicken was so bad, I feel like there’s no pressure.”

The pressure is definitely on now, will Swash cook his way to the finals?

Megan McKenna

Former TOWIE star and singer Megan has performed exceptionally well during her time on MasterChef.

Her Prosecco and mushroom sauce with chicken received rave reviews from the judges.

She has admitted she cooks regularly at home, trying out her dishes on friends and family.

"I like to cook but I’m bad with being under pressure and timings," she admitted.

Dion Dublin

Former professional footballer and pundit Dion Dublin has exceeded his own expectations on the cooking show, after getting off to a rocky start.

The Celtic and Norwich City midfielder got emotional after judges praised his dishes for being “delicious” and “really spot on” with his flavour combinations.

After wiping tears from his eyes, he said: “I got emotional because I didn’t expect that kind of feedback, it’s quite overwhelming.”

Kem Cetinay

The most contentious out of all the semi-finalists is reality star Kem, who many viewers felt should have been sent home in the quarter finals.

He has opted for Turkish cuisine, with judge John commenting that his two dishes had impressed him and made him “the surprise of the competition”.

However, fans of the show were split over the decision for Kem to progress in the competition, with one Tweeting: “How has Kem Cetinay made it through to the final? He has been the worst. No way should Michelle Collins or Johannes have gone before him #CelebrityMasterChef.”

Another added: “Yesterday he stuffed a pepper and today he made some lamb chops. Come on Kem really? #CelebrityMasterChef.”

Kadeena Cox

Paralympic Gold medallist Kadeena Cox has likened the adrenaline rush she got participating on MasterChef as that of when she competes.

Recently she has been busy winning gold at the Tokyo 2020 games, with MasterChef filmed prior to the games.

She said the pressure of performing on MasterChef was one of the hardest shows she had participated in, adding: "If you’re not judged first and you’re waiting your turn, it’s not fun,"

What is expected f the contestants in the finals?

Much like the semi-finals, where Bez, Su Pollard and Melanie Sykes were stripped of their aprons, the remaining five contestants will cook different courses across three nights.

One contestant will be eliminated on nights one and two, leaving three contestants to battle it out in the final leg of the competition.

On Wednesday the remaining five will be supported by chef Calum Franklin from the Holborn Dining Rooms Pie Room as they attempt to reproduce fine pies from one of his recipes, to be served to a dining room full of hungry pie experts.

Following their pie challenge, they will recreate an old-fashioned sweet shop inspired dish, before judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace eliminate one contestant.

On Thursday they will cook with Tom Kerridge, and will be judges by guest chefs such as Michel Roux Jr, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Paul Ainsworth and Aktar Islam, who will decide who continues to the final day.

On the final leg, the last three will produce three course meal for Torode and Wallace, before one is crowned King or Queen of MasterChef 2021.

When is the Celebrity MasterChef 2021 finals?

The finals will air across three nights, starting on BBC One on Wednesday 15 September at 9pm. The finals will continue on Thursday and Friday at 9pm, with the winner crowned on Friday evening.

All episodes will subsequently be available to watch on iPlayer.