Judy Murray is reportedly set to join the line-up for Celebrity MasterChef 2020.
The 60-year-old, best known as the mother of tennis champion Andy Murray, is said to be swapping the court for the kitchen after previously testing her skills on the dancefloor during Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.
Judy, who played a key role in guiding her son’s early tennis career, is expected to step into the show’s famous kitchen in a bid to impress judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode when the new series airs, usually in late summer on BBC One.
New challenge: Judy Murray is reportedly set to compete on Celebrity MasterChef 2020
A source told The Sun that producers regarded securing Judy for the celebrity cooking competition as a major signing, noting that her strong following and appeal among older female viewers could help draw audiences to the programme.
Filming is understood to have already been completed, meaning the series is not expected to face disruption from the coronavirus outbreak, which has forced delays and shutdowns across many other TV productions.
The insider added that Judy enjoyed her time on set and got on well with her fellow contestants, even forming a few unexpected friendships along the way.
Prize in sight: Judy is said to be heading into the MasterChef kitchen to cook for judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode when the series returns, typically in late summer on BBC One
From ballroom to melon baller: She is said to be taking on the culinary contest, having tried her hand at ballroom dancing on Strictly 2014
‘The competition this year was tougher than ever with some hard challenges and intricate recipes, pushing the celebs harder than before.’
Other stars who have taken part on the show 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.
Like Judy, Greg also appeared on Strictly and comes from a sporting career.
Reigning champ: Last year’s winner Greg Rutherford, like Judy, also appeared on Strictly and comes from a sporting career
It’s reported that Top Gear host Chris Harris will also take part in the 2020 edition.
MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.
In 2018, Judy told You Magazine that she didn’t care for cooking, and was more interested in finding a man.
‘I cannot cook!’ she admitted at the time. ‘My mantra was, “There’s no need to cook so long as there’s a Marks & Spencer in this life.”
Skills: The mother of tennis ace Andy Murray helped coach her tennis superstar son to pro level
‘But a cookery course in Italy is on my list of things to do, so there’s hope for me yet. My mum is an amazing cook and baker but it never rubbed off on me. You might see me on Celebrity Bake Off one day doing it very badly. That could be a giggle.’
Judy was born in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, in 1959, and raised two Grand Slam-winning, number one-ranking tennis players, mainly on her own after separating from her husband Willie.
An exceptional junior player herself, she studied French and business studies at Edinburgh University and worked in retail management and sales before becoming a full-time tennis coach in 1994.
As the former national coach for Scotland and captain of the Great Britain Fed Cup team (the female equivalent of the Davis Cup), she is hugely respected in tennis.
