The ultimate celebrity culinary contest returned to our screens on Tuesday with a brand new star-studded line-up – however ITV viewers were soon left with a sour taste in their mouths.
Cooking With The Stars sees a slew of famous faces paired with professional chefs who will mentor them, in a bid to transform them from amateur to expert in a matter of weeks.
Leading the all-star cast for 2024 are model Abbey Clancy, presenter Carol Vorderman, and comedian Katherine Ryan, with Emma Willis and Tom Allen returning as hosts to preside over the action.
Unfortunately viewers claimed they ‘switched off after five minutes’ when the new season kicked off, blasting the premiere as ‘terrible,’ and pointing out a kitchen blunder that left them ‘feeling sick’.
The first episode saw Carol, Abbey, Pasha Kovalev and Harry Pinero paired up with pro partners and going head to head in the kitchen to attempt to progress to the next round.
The ultimate celebrity culinary contest returned to our screens on Tuesday with a brand new star-studded line-up
Viewers claimed they ‘switched off after five minutes’ when the new season kicked off, blasting it as ‘terrible’ (Abbey Clancy pictured above)
It didn’t take long for ITV viewers to take to X to furiously slam the ‘boring’ fourth series, writing:
‘Never watched this before #CookingWithTheStars. Won’t be watching it again! Who dreams up these beyond boring programs with Z list ‘celebrities’ !! So so bad.’
‘Content creator isn’t a celebrity. #CookingWithTheStars.’
‘5 minutes was enough. It’s terrible #CookingWithTheStars.’
‘Not sure why I’m watching this especially as some of the stars and chefs annoy me #cookingwiththestars.’
‘How the heck did this rubbish manage to get another series?’
‘All the whooping and cheering is getting on my nerves #CookingWithTheStars.’
Meanwhile, others took issue with a specific hygiene factor in the kitchen, pointing out that two of the women kept their hair down while cooking.
Meanwhile, others took issue with a specific hygiene factor in the kitchen, pointing out that Carol (pictured above) and Abbey kept their hair down while cooking
ITV viewers took to X to furiously slam the ‘boring’ fourth series and complain about a specific hygiene issue
Carol, 63, who was paired with Scottish restauranteur Tony Singh, whipped up salmon coulibiac (salmon encased in puff pastry) with a Champagne reduction, with Abbey, 38, cooking a posh steak and chips alongside Michelin star chef Michael Caines.
However, both contestants opted not to tie their hair up as they got busy in the kitchen, causing a slew of complains from fans online:
‘For Pete’s sake, tie your hair back #Cookingwiththestars #TeamPasha.’
‘Does it bother anyone else that the celebs on #Cookingwiththestars don’t their hair back?? I just vision a pan full of stray hair #Cookingwiththestars #itv.’
‘It bothers me! Disgusting.’
‘It definitely bothers me.’
‘Posted similar thing earlier, put me off, all the hair flying around, even the mentor. Was hoping one of the judges would find one in the food.’
Despite the backlash, some fans of the cooking show expressed their excitement at its return, writing:
‘Loved the first #Cookingwiththestars well done @OfficialClancy.’
‘Carol is fabulous as always #CookingWithTheStars.’
‘#CookingWithTheStars I’m hungry watching this. I’m off to M&S tomorrow. Looks lovely.’
‘They get some really good stars on this! #CookingWithTheStars.’
Cooking With The Stars returns for another episode on Tuesday, 8pm, ITV1
