Entertainment

Josh Cuthbert and Martin Bayfield through to semi-final of Celebrity MasterChef

Actor Keith Allen and T’Pau singer Carol Decker left the kitchen.
Actor Keith Allen and T’Pau singer Carol Decker left the kitchen. Actor Keith Allen and T’Pau singer Carol Decker left the kitchen.

Union J singer Josh Cuthbert and former England rugby player Martin Bayfield have booked their place in the semi-finals of Celebrity MasterChef 2018.

In the final challenge of Friday’s episode Cuthbert and Bayfield wowed judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode with a two-course meal of their choosing.

They also impressed a guest panel of the show’s former contestants actress Emma Kennedy, Olivier-winning star Sophie Thompson, and singer Sam Nixon.

Actor Keith Allen and T’Pau singer Carol Decker were the contestants to leave the show after their menus failed to make the grade.

Bayfield said: “I’m really thrilled. I’m pleased for myself that I have got through. I’m absolutely chuffed to bits for Josh. For both of us to go through, I’m absolutely overjoyed.”

Cuthbert added: “I feel incredible. I actually can’t believe it, I’m overjoyed. I’ve clearly done enough and I’m genuinely over the moon.”

Allen served up a main course of his own invention which he called “liver dance”. It consisted of chicken livers with black pudding crumb on top of a duck egg.

Kennedy remarked that her portion of liver was “raw” and the spicy potatoes it was served with felt like something “horrible and unpleasant” on the back of her throat.

Following his exit Allen said: “I think that my family won’t be embarrassed by what I’ve done.

I thought there where were certain things I did well. It’s been brilliant. I’ve been on MasterChef, come on! And I’m going to get an apron. I hope.”

Decker’s white chocolate and blueberry cheesecake was likened to a face pack by the judges.

Actor Keith Allen
Actor Keith Allen Actor Keith Allen’s ‘liver dance’ main course did not go down well with the judges (Ian West/PA)

The China In Your Hand singer said: “I’m really sorry to go but I am proud of what I have done.

“I will definitely cook some of the things that I have learned on the show, so the kids won’t have to put up with mice every day!”

Cuthbert and Bayfield progressed despite a communication mix-up in the earlier pairs challenge, during which Cuthbert dropped a quiche.

During the episode the celebrities also had to cook lunch for over 100 people working at London’s Tilbury Docks.

Cuthbert and Bayfield again worked in a pair and won praise from the dock workers for their chicken and leek pie.

One worker remarked to Cuthbert as he served her food that he had “nice eyes”.

Celebrity MasterChef continues on BBC One on Thursday August 30 at 8pm.