2 weeks Ago By Frankie Collins
Channel 4 has shocked fans by cancelling Celebrity Cooking School, a popular E4 competition series that won over audiences with its mix of celebrity antics and culinary challenges. Known for its entertaining line-up and hilarious cooking disasters, the show won rave reviews, yet the broadcaster decided not to renew it for a third series, leaving fans disappointed. The series, hosted by DJ Melvin Odoom, brought together a group of self-confessed terrible cooks, including reality TV stars like TOWIE’s James Argent, Geordie Shore’s Scotty T, and TV personality Sam Thompson.
Over two seasons, these celebrities tackled challenging cooking tasks under the guidance of talented guest chefs, who aimed to transform their kitchen skills—or lack thereof. Each episode saw the stars compete against one another, attempting to overcome their culinary fears while vying to stay in the school. Fans loved the unscripted, humorous moments that unfolded as the celebrities tried to make edible dishes, often with chaotic results.
A source told The Sun: “The crew were a bit surprised Channel 4 decided not to proceed with a third series, which would have been filmed in Spring this year. The show was a hit with fans and produced some really good TV moments filled with hilarious innuendos and attracted high-profile stars for E4. Off-camera there were plenty of fiery moments too given the diverse lineup.
” The first season’s eclectic cast included Love Island’s Toby Aromolaran, Made in Chelsea’s Maeva D’Ascanio, former footballer Stevo the Madman, and musician Shaun Ryder. Kim Woodburn, the notorious “cleaning queen,” also brought her fiery personality to the show. The second season continued the momentum, featuring former politician Ann Widdecombe, who stole the spotlight with her questionable culinary skills.
Widdecombe, 76, delivered one of the show’s most talked-about moments when she presented Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli with a plate of boiled gammon, steamed vegetables, and a packet of parsley sauce. The ex-Conservative MP didn’t mince her words, calling her own creation “inedible". Locatelli, equally unimpressed, described it as a “Sunday dinner gone wrong".
Reflecting on her cooking blunder, Ann told the camera: “The joint itself is inedible! But the experience will be wasted if I don’t learn something!” Adding to the show’s off-screen drama, Celebrity Cooking School initially planned to feature Katie Price , marking her TV comeback. However, Price withdrew at the last moment, causing disruption for the production team. “Katie was a big signing for Celebrity Cooking School, so it was hugely disappointing when she dropped out,” another source shared.
“It had all been given the green light for filming, but at the last moment, Katie said she would not commit. Her decision to pull out has caused a major headache for the show's production team as they have been tasked with pulling in a replacement at the last moment.”.
