-->
-->
Bez, the charismatic star of Happy Mondays, has quickly become a beloved figure on this season’s Celebrity MasterChef. His antics on the show, particularly using a rolling pin to stir a dish, had viewers in stitches during last night’s episode.
At 57, the dancer and percussionist is competing against a mix of celebrities including Su Pollard and Rita Simons, actor and singer Duncan James from the band Blue, and comedian Munya Chawawa. They’re all vying for culinary glory in the first week of the show’s heats.
In a dramatic turn of events on Monday night, Munya Chawawa was the first to be sent home, narrowing the field to Su, Rita, Duncan, and Bez for the next round of competition.
Bez managed to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace with his skilled cheese tasting and a delightful pasta carbonara, a dish he fondly remembered as a family favorite.
The Happy Mondays star Bez has become a fan favourite on Celebrity MasterChef and left viewers laughing last night when he stirred a dish with a rolling pin
Bez (left) and Shaun Ryder of the band the Happy Mondays perform at Glastonbury in 2000
Despite facing challenges in the subsequent round, Bez’s performances were strong enough to secure his place in the competition, ensuring he’ll be stirring up more excitement in the episodes to come.
Although he struggled with the next round, Bez ultimately did enough to stay in the competition.
His laid-back attitude and funny anecdotes have made him a hit with viewers, with one writing: ‘Gotta love Bez, he doesn’t give a toss what anyone thinks of him lol. And looks like he can cook! Who knew.’
Another tweeted: ‘ Hats off to Bez. He’s great fun and turned out to be a pretty good cook as well.’
A third added: ‘Bez using a rolling pin to stir his pasta on Masterchef has made my day.’
After successfully identifying three out of the four cheeses in a taste test, Bez set about making fresh pasta carbonara under the watchful eye of the judges.
The Happy Mondays star seemed at ease making the pasta – despite using a rolling pin to stir instead of a spoon – and was the only contestant who knew to make the sauce without cream
Bez’s laid-back attitude and funny anecdotes have made him a hit with viewers (pictured)
‘I wouldn’t say I’m any sort of expert but I have picked up a few tips over the years,’ he said, weighing in on his experience. ‘I’m 56 now so I’ve had quite a few dinners over my lifetime.’
The Happy Mondays star seemed at ease making the pasta – despite using a rolling pin to stir instead of a spoon – and was the only contestant who knew to make the sauce without any cream.
‘I used to make it for the kids because it was easy,’ he said.
For the next round the contestants had to cook an Indian recipe from Nisha Katona’s Mowgli restaurant chain.
For the next round the contestants had to cook an Indian recipe from Nisha Katona’s Mowgli restaurant chain. Bez’s gulab jamun tasted delicious but drew some criticism for its texture
The balls, which were meant to be soft and doughy, were hard enough that they stuck to the plate when tipped upside down by Wallace (pictured)
Bez’s gulab jamun tasted delicious but drew some criticism for its texture – the balls, which were meant to be soft and doughy, were hard enough that they stuck to the plate when tipped upside down.
In the final round the celebrities created a dish that highlights spice. With just one hour to cook, Bez served up pan-seared scallops on fried frisée lettuce with an adobo sauce, with a sweetcorn, onion and tomato salsa.
It was enough for Bez to redeem himself and secure a place in the quarter-final. Rita Simons was sent home.
Bez’s final dish was enough to redeem him and secure a place in the quarter-final. Rita Simons was sent home (pictured with fellow contestants Su Pollard and Duncan James)
MasterChef continues on BBC1 on Friday at 9pm and is available on iPlayer.
