'I've learnt my lesson': Shazia Mirza prepared for Celebrity MasterChef by 'burning 2 kitchens down'

Shazia Mirza prepared for 'Celebrity MasterChef' by "burning two kitchens down".

The 48-year-old comedian will make her debut on the BBC One cookery show next week, but judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode will no doubt be hoping she doesn't leave anything in the oven after past experiences.

She said: "I prepared for 'MasterChef' by burning two kitchens down.

"I burnt down the home economics room at school once and my mum’s kitchen once.

"But I've learned my lesson, I know not to leave the oven on when there's nothing in there!"

Shazia admitted she felt "really scared" when she walked into the 'Celebrity MasterChef' kitchen, but joked she should be "alright" because she knows how to cook eggs on toast and beans on toast.

She said: "Walking into the kitchen for the first time is really strange, because you've seen it already.

"I watch it on TV all the time.

"So when you go there you feel like you know John and Gregg and you know the kitchen, but it's totally a different feeling when you're actually in there. It gets really scary and I got very nervous.

"I’d always thought about doing it, but it looked so scary. Now I say, just do it! can make egg on toast, egg and chips, beans on toast, so I'll be alright."

The show will return for an 18th series on Wednesday (02.08.23), with former 'Love Island' star Dani Dyer, actor James Buckley, comedian and actor Marcus Brigstocke, TV personality Mica Ven and TV and Radio personality Richie Anderson cooking in the first round of Heats this week.

Shazia will do battle with TV presenter and entertainer Dave Benson Phillips, singer Max George, radio broadcaster Remi Burgz, and comedian and broadcaster Terry Christian next week.

'Celebrity MasterChef' returns to BBC One and iPlayer from 2 August at 9pm.