Celebrity MasterChef 2016: Blue singer Simon Webbe sent home in second heats

The former boyband member failed to impress with his traditional dishes
Eliminated: Simon Webbe crashed out of the second heats of Celebrity MasterChef
BBC
Ben Travis30 June 2016

Simon Webbe crashed straight out of the second heats of Celebrity MasterChef.

The singer, formerly a member of boyband Blue, failed to impress judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode with his takes on traditional Jamaican and Caribbean food.

Webbe served up Ackee and Saltfish, and Caribbean curried mutton with rice and peas – but both dishes were criticised for lacking spice and flavour.

“I’d like a load of chilli sauce across the top of it,” Wallace said of the Ackee and Saltfish.

Torode agreed, saying: “I want more spice.”

Webbe was understandably disappointed to be leaving the show so soon.

“I’m sad on one side, because I’ll never do this again,” he said. “But I’ve had a great time, had a laugh, and wish I could have gone on and learned a lot more. Sometimes, you can’t always be a winner.”

While fellow singer Amelle Berrabah, formerly of the Sugababes, also struggled slightly with the culinary tests, the judges were more impressed by ex-rugby player Neil Back and Radio 4 presenter Reverend Richard Coles.

The three celebrities, along with Laila Morse, best known as EastEnders’ Big Mo, continue in the second round of heats, but only two of them will make it through to the next round of the competition.

Celebrity Masterchef 2016 Contestants

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It wasn’t the biggest surprise that Webbe was sent home, as the singer had previously hinted at his poor performance.

Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday, he said: “I’m very, very ashamed of how I’ve done so I’m trying to avoid the subject. I have no skills when it comes to cooking. It is even harder when you have a camera shoved in your face and you have Gregg Wallace and John Torode talking to you.

“It is incredibly intimidating and I wasn’t prepared for that at all. I didn’t do any practising beforehand, which was a big mistake.”

BBC One, 8pm

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