On Thursday night, Sam Fox became the latest contestant to exit Celebrity MasterChef, just missing the chance to advance to the quarter-finals. The 57-year-old former pop singer and glamour model found herself up against formidable opponents, including actress and singer Jamelia, Go Compare’s Wynne Evans, and musical artist DJ Locksmith, during the recent heats of the popular BBC One show.
Despite her best efforts, Sam’s performance in the final round left the judges less than impressed. Her choice to present a street food dish, specifically Funnel cakes, was deemed ‘unambitious’ by the panel.
Initially, when Sam proposed serving the deep-fried dough topped solely with icing sugar, judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace expressed concerns about the simplicity of her dish compared to her competitors’ more elaborate offerings.
Their apprehensions were confirmed when it came time to taste Sam’s creation. Gregg candidly commented, “I would have liked to see you make some sauces,” suggesting that the dish lacked complexity.
John also offered his critique, acknowledging his appreciation for the batter and crispy texture, yet noted, “I would like something else with it, that’s for sure.”
Out: Sam Fox was the latest star to be eliminated in Thursday’s Celebrity MasterChef, narrowly missing out on a place in the quarter final
Oh dear: Sam left judges underwhelmed thanks to her ‘unambitious’ street food dish in the final round, in which she served Funnel cakes
While John added that while he loved the batter and crispy bits, he ‘would like something else with it, that’s for sure’.
Reflecting on the comments, Sam later shared that when thinking about her street food dish, she thought sauces would be ‘messy’, adding that when eating Funnel cakes at a market, she would want to ‘pick at it and shop and go’.
John went on to add of her dish: ‘It was really nice but wasn’t that unambitious.’
Speaking after being given the boot from the cooking competition, Sam said: ‘No problem, I’ve learnt so much, thank you to my team.’
She added that she felt ‘privileged’ to have taken part in the show, before quipping: ‘My mum is gonna be amazed that I can multitask!’
Whist watching the cooking scenes, fans had predicted that Sam would be eliminated from the show as they too believed her dish wasn’t enough.
One person tweeted: ‘Think Sam will go unfortunately.’
While another shared: ‘Sam too busy showboating to make anything more technical.’
Rivals: The former pop star and glamour model, 57, faced stiff competition from actress and singer Jamelia, Go Compare singer Wynne Evans and musical artist DJ Locksmith in the latest heats of the BBC One show
Simple? After initially hearing her suggestion of serving the deep fried dough dish with nothing but icing sugar, John and Gregg shared their concern that Sam’s meal would be too simple compared to the others
Not impressed: This was emphasised when it came to Sam serving up her dish to the judges, with Gregg remarking: ‘I would have liked to see you make some sauces’
Underwhelmed: John went on to add of her dish: ‘It was really nice but wasn’t that unambitious’
Humble: Speaking after being given the boot from the cooking competition, Sam said: ‘No problem, I’ve learnt so much, thank you to my team’
A third said: ‘Sam on thin ice’, with a fourth adding: ‘Taxi for Sam.’
With another watcher tweeting: ‘Sam’s a goner.’
Thursday’s episode also saw Sam and Wynne go up against Jamelia and Locksmith in the pair’s challenge, where they each had to cook a European dish with only one team member having the recipe.
The four then headed into a professional kitchen, with Sam and Jamelia in upmarket Italian restaurant Luca while Wynne and Locksmith headed to swanky Caribbean joint Fenchurch rooftop restaurant.
Celebrity MasterChef continues Friday at 9pm on BBC One.
Reactions: Whist watching the cooking scenes, fans had predicted that Sam would be eliminated from the show as they too believed her dish wasn’t enough
Celebrity MasterChef 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
DIANNE BUSWELL
AGE: 34
PROFESSION: Professional dancer
LUCA BISH
AGE: 24
PROFESSION: Fishmonger and former Love Island contestant
SAM FOX
AGE: 57
PROFESSION: Former glamour model and singer
MAX GEORGE
AGE: 34
PROFESSION: Lead singer of The Wanted
MICA VEN
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: Gogglebox star
MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE
AGE: 50
PROFESSION: Comedian
SHAZIA MIRZA
AGE: 47
PROFESSION: Comedian and writer
MICHAEL PRAED
AGE: 63
PROFESSION: Actor
REMI BURGZ
AGE: 30
PROFESSION: BBC Radio 1Xtra host
APL.DE.AP
AGE: 48
PROFESSION: Black Eyed Peas member
JAMES BUCKLEY
AGE: 35
PROFESSION: Actor and comedian
DANI DYER
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: Former Love Island contestant and TV personality
DAVE BENSON PHILLIPS
AGE: 58
PROFESSION: Children’s television presenter and comic
JAMELIA
AGE: 42
PROFESSION: Singer and television personality
TERRY CHRISTIAN
AGE: 63
PROFESSION: Broadcaster and journalist
AMY WALSH
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Actress
LEON ‘LOCKSMITH’ ROLLE
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Rudimental band member and DJ
CHERYL HOLE
AGE: 29
PROFESSION: Drag queen
RICHIE ANDERSON
AGE: 35
PROFESSION: Radio personality
WYNNE EVANS
AGE: 51
PROFESSION: Singer
