Michelle Heaton, the former Liberty X singer, faced a significant challenge on the popular cooking show Celebrity MasterChef, leaving her feeling “absolutely gutted.” In the latest series, she competed alongside notable personalities, including Chris Hughes from Love Island, author Dawn O’Porter, soul singer Jaki Graham, and actor Jamie Lomas.
Setback in the Kitchen
During the competition, Heaton prepared a halloumi burger accompanied by sweet chilli jam and sweet potato fries. Unfortunately, a mishap occurred when she mistakenly left her sweet potatoes in the oven for too long, resulting in a burnt dish. Heaton expressed her dismay, stating, “Oh, no! I actually can’t believe it. Burned my sweet potato fries.”
Support from Fellow Contestants
Dawn O’Porter, who had received an extra 10 minutes in a previous challenge, offered to share her time with Michelle. However, judge Grace Dent informed Heaton that she could not accept the additional time.
Resilience Amid Adversity
Refusing to give up, Michelle quickly adapted by preparing small sweet potato cubes as a replacement. She admitted, “I am absolutely gutted,” as she worked on her new side dish. Judge John Torode acknowledged Heaton’s tough moment, remarking, “You had a bit of a disaster.” He praised her determination, stating, “You picked yourself up and you went and sorted it out. That’s what MasterChef is all about, Michelle. Good on you.”
Judges’ Feedback on Her Dish
- John Torode remarked that the halloumi was “cooked really nicely.”
- However, he noted that the brioche bun was “on the edge of too sweet.”
Reflecting on the Experience
After the competition, Michelle shared her emotional reaction to the mishap. Despite feeling overwhelmed at times, she stated, “I was about to cry, but I didn’t, because I usually do. And I just ploughed on. I’m really, really happy that I did, because I learned something about myself.”
Celebrity MasterChef continues to air on BBC One, showcasing the resilience and creativity of its contestants.
