The Celebrity MasterChef 2026 semi-finalists have been confirmed after a tense quarter-final episode filmed in Birmingham, with Radio 1 DJ Melvin Odoom the latest celebrity sent home.
Former Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver, gold medal paralympian Lauren Steadman and YouTuber Max Fosh will now compete for the title, while Odoom's journey ended during Friday night's episode on BBC One, which was recorded at Digbeth Loc. Studios in Birmingham.
With only three places available in the semi-final, the four remaining celebrities were split into teams for their hardest challenge yet. Lauren and Max faced Melvin and Sue, with each pair tasked with preparing the same French dishes using identical ingredients.
Two gruelling challenges in the kitchen
The teams were given just 30 minutes to prepare each dish: steak tartare, followed by duck a l'orange, and then iles flottantes, a soft meringue floating on crème anglaise. The tight schedule added extra pressure to the quarter-final showdown.
In a second challenge, the celebrities were asked to cook family dishes individually, with the recipes set by rapper, TV personality and self-taught chef Big Zuu.
Lauren Steadman was the first to be saved by judges Grace Dent and Giorgio Locatelli, before she quickly announced who was leaving the competition.
Melvin Odoom reflects on his time
Melvin Odoom was sent home, leaving Lauren, Max and Sue to face the Celebrity MasterChef semi-finals. Speaking about his experience, Odoom said: "That's sad. I have had a great time I've learnt loads I've laughed loads it has been an absolute blast."
The remaining celebrities will return for the semi-finals on Monday on BBC One at 7.05pm. The next episode will see them split into teams as they cook a banquet.
When is the Celebrity MasterChef final?
Celebrity MasterChef: The Final 2026 will air on Friday 18 September at 8pm on BBC One. Episodes leading up to the final will be broadcast at 9pm on Tuesday 15 September and Wednesday 16 September.
The 21st season of the show launched onto screens last month.
