Gregg Wallace has confirmed that the next series of Celebrity MasterChef was in the can before the global coronavirus crisis escalated.

The 55-year-old television judge shared with MailOnline that the dedicated BBC production team put in extensive effort to ensure the upcoming 15th season of the celebrity version of the show was wrapped up long before the UK implemented the COVID-19 lockdown.

‘We’re chuffed that we finished it!’ Gregg admitted. ‘And it really was all hands on deck to get it done.’

‘Chuffed!’ Gregg Wallace has confirmed that the next series of Celebrity MasterChef was in the can before the global coronavirus crisis escalated

Gregg, who presents the show alongside chef John Torode, mentioned that the team running the long-standing series remained vigilant regarding the evolving health crisis, which initially appeared in December 2019, and took early measures to anticipate any potential disruptions.

“As the virus began to loom on the horizon, we foresaw possible challenges, prompting us to work diligently to complete the series,” he stated. “We took all necessary precautions. Health and safety were never compromised.”

‘In fact, there was no hint of lockdown at the time we were filming. But we were still a little nervous of what may happen and so we managed to get there in the nick of time.

‘In fact, before the government lockdown, MasterChef had locked down!’

In the can: The ever-efficient BBC production team worked tirelessly to make sure the forthcoming 15th series of the star-filled version of the show was completed way before the COVID-19 lockdown was enforced in the UK [pictured are some of last year’s contestants]

Consummate professionals: Gregg – who co-hosts the show with chef John Torode – explained the the team behind the long-running series were keeping a close eye on the status of the health crisis

And Gregg has teased that the series was worth the hard work.

‘It was a massive giggle. I actually don’t think I’ve had so much fun doing a series as I have this one. There are some seriously big characters!’

The stars taking part will not be revealed until later in the year, when the show is scheduled to air. Gregg did tease his favourite line of the series though.

‘One of the contestants said to me: “I’ve never come first in anything! I was my first husband’s second wife!”‘

‘We’re chuffed that we finished it!’ Gregg admitted that during filming it was ‘all hands on deck to get it done’

Stars who have taken part on the show in the past include the likes of Made In Chelsea’s Spencer Matthews, Pussycat Doll Kimberley Wyatt, presenter Rylan Clark Neal, Most Haunted’s Yvette Fielding and last year’s winner Greg Rutherford. 

It’s rumoured that tennis legend Andy Murray’s mother Judy is taking on the culinary contest, having tried her hand at ballroom dancing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.

Judy – who helped coach her tennis superstar son to pro level – ‘loved filming and bonded with the other contestants, making some unlikely friendships’, a source told The Sun recently.

Celebs go cooking: Stars who have taken part on the show in the past include the likes of [L-R] Stefanie Reid, Martin Bayfield, Spencer Matthews and John Partridge  – the latter winning the series in 2018

It’s reported that Top Gear host Chris Harris will also take part in the 2020 edition, although Gregg cannot confirm nor deny any alleged contestants at this stage. 

He is currently appearing on the regular run of MasterChef, which has entered the semi-final stage on BBC One.

Again, Gregg can’t shed any light on who makes it through to the final – but he did admit to having a soft spot for the oldest current contestant Beverley.

‘I love her. She doesn’t cook to show off. That’s what makes a real difference I think in some contestants – when they cook to feed. They make food they want to eat, not that they want to just demonstrate.

Challenge accepted? Judy Murray is rumoured to be taking part in Celebrity MasterChef 2020

‘Beverley wouldn’t know a water bath if it jumped up and bit her on the ankle.’

In an episode last week, the contestants spent time during service at the restaurant of former champion Simon Wood.

‘He is one of the winners I am still very close with,’ Gregg said. ‘And he won’t mind me saying was a timid man when he came onto the show to cook. I used to put my arm around him just to stop him from shaking.

‘Look at him now! I am so proud of him!’

Gregg weighed in on what he feels is the secret to succeeding on the culinary show.

Gregg said: ‘It’s about learning constantly but also showing you have developed your own style’

‘It’s about learning constantly but also showing you have developed your own style.

‘There is a point in the process where the penny drops, and a contestant will just go, “that’s how I want to cook, that’s how I want to do it,” and then they stick to it and do it incredibly well.

‘That’s what we’re looking for: development. To see what they’ve learnt, how they’re changing, how their technical ability is growing, seeing what they have picked up along the way, what they have absorbed.

‘It doesn’t come down to trickery. It’s not about about who can be the cleverest with machinery. It’s based on good quality old-fashioned cooking. Really good quality cooking.’

MasterChef continues on BBC One this week on Wednesday at 9PM and Thursday at 7:30PM.