STRICTLY stars often get whisked on to Celebrity MasterChef – and I can reveal another one of the professionals has signed up.
Aussie Dianne Buswell is following in the footsteps of her pals on the BBC1 dance show, Oti Mabuse and Katya Jones.
BBC1’s high-pressure competition judged by John Torode and Gregg Wallace usually airs in the summer.
A TV insider said: “Strictly stars always seem to be popular with MasterChef producers, not to mention the viewers at home.
“That is why almost every year they select a famous face from within the show’s ranks of pros. And they always seem to do rather well.
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“Although their dance skills don’t help them much in the kitchen, their natural competitiveness does give them the edge over many of the other celeb cooks.”
Other Strictly professionals who have taken part include AJ Pritchard, Johannes Radebe and Gleb Savchenko.
But Dianne might just have a little bit extra to bring to the show because cookery, along with dancing, is one of her greatest passions.
She said recently: “When I get time, I absolutely love to cook.
“My mum’s Italian and I’ve grown up learning to cook from her.
“I’ve always been quite a foodie. I have got two older brothers, my dad loves food — we all love food in my family.
“I do really enjoy cooking and I’m always really interested in the Mediterranean diet.
“My mum is very health-conscious in terms of what products she uses, so I have grown up learning to cook good, hearty meals that are good for you, using natural ingredients.”
Let’s hope Dianne fares better in a competitive kitchen than her boyfriend Joe Sugg, who she has been in a relationship with since they were paired on 2018’s Strictly.
The YouTuber and actor collapsed in a heap on the floor during 2020’s Celebrity Great British Bake Off on Channel 4, when he fainted after cutting his finger.
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At least Dianne could style it out like a contemporary dance move if she does the same.
RICH FEAR OF CHER HIT CLUE
CELEBRITIES on The Masked Singer usually try to avoid detection by the panellists in front of them.
But former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora was conscious of a far more formidable supersleuth – his ex-girlfriend Cher.
Richie, who was unmasked as Jacket Potato in Saturday’s semi-final, said: “I nearly did a version of Turn Back Time, but you know . . . for my old girlfriend Cher that might have given it away a little bit.
“I think maybe she would have been flattered.”
Richie, who co-wrote and sung on most of Bon Jovi’s biggest hits, found it tough wearing the cumbersome costume.
He added: “I like to keep my package tight. But Jack’s pants . . . my crotch came down to my kneecaps.
“I got to week seven and I had no idea who I was up against, but then Jellyfish (Amber Riley) beat me with my own song – You Give Love A Bad Name.
“And Jon Bon Jovi said something about how well I sang Hallelujah.”
Rhino, Fawn and Phoenix are in Saturday’s final on ITV1.
BUBBLE A BLOW FOR LIV OZ JOB
OLIVIA ATTWOOD has confirmed that it was Covid isolation rules that forced her to quit I’m A Celebrity after just 24 hours in November.
The former Love Islander’s blood pressure dropped after she entered the camp, which worried ITV’s insurers in case she then collapsed, and she was taken to hospital.
She told Jamie Laing’s Private Parts podcast: “The producers were all my Love Island producers and they were awake all night to see if there was anything, but then I’d broken the Covid bubble, so there were so many issues.
“I cried the whole way back from Australia.”
Now fans want show bosses to sign her for the 2023 series.
She deserves a proper crack at it.
ANTON’S TASTE OF SICILY
ROSE AYLING-ELLIS has given the thumbs-up to her dance partner Giovanni Pernice’s new BBC1 travel series with Anton Du Beke.
The former EastEnders actress, who lifted the Strictly Glitterball with the dancer in 2021, makes a cameo alongside the pair as they set off for Gio’s homeland of Sicily.
He introduces Strictly judge Anton to some of the local delicacies as they enjoy driving a mini-van around the streets, sail on the sea and walk llamas.
Gio said of their new show: “To say this has been a dream project is an understatement.
“Taking Anton to my much-loved home of Sicily was simply bellissima.
“We danced, we laughed and had the time of our lives, with great culture, food and company.”
Anton added: “When I first heard about this trip, it was pretty irresistible.”
Anton And Giovanni: Adventures In Sicily begins next month.
BUZZING FOR NEW TALENT
THEY’RE handing out golden buzzers like confetti on Britain’s Got Talent this year.
An eighth contestant was sent straight through to the live finals after a joint decision by judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Bruno Tonioli.
They were transfixed by a dancer who’d lost a leg to cancer but had already used their “magic” buzzes, just like hosts Ant and Dec.
An onlooker said: “They agreed to press it together as this kid was so good. It was chaos but there’s no doubt it’ll make great telly.”
Usually judges send just one act straight to the finals via the golden buzzer but Bruno didn’t understand the convention and pressed it twice in one sitting.
When he’s about, life’s never straightforward.