‘I have to work double hard to get respect'

Megan McKenna on life after TOWIE, her MasterChef nerves and keeping her new relationship private

- KATIE BEGLEY

She made a name for herself on Ex On The Beach and The Only Way Is Essex but since leaving the shows, Megan McKenna has been on a mission to take over the charts. And after winning Celebrity X Factor in 2019, she took one step closer to living her dream.

Now, as she prepares to go on tour with two musical legends, Sir Tom Jones and Lionel Richie, Megan believes she’s on the brink of something big. But before she takes over the airwaves, the 28-year-old is ready to show off another talent after landing a spot in the MasterChef kitchen.

When we catch up with Megan ahead of her debut on the BBC show, she reveals what it’s like trying to cut it in the kitchen and which star guests she’d love to have around her dinner table...

You must be very excited to have joined the ranks of MasterChef…

Yeah! I’ve been a huge fan of MasterChef my entire life, so when the show came up, I was like, “Oh my God, I would love to show them what I can do.”

Are you a good cook?

I’ve always had to cook because I’m celiac and I have a wheat allergy, so I had to learn how to do things from scratch from quite a young age.

What would you say is your go-to food to cook?

I’m sorry if you’re a vegan, but I do love my meat. Obviously, with having that dietary problem, I kind of have to eat meat, or I would literally be a rake. I love my veg and anything with a rich taste. I love going out to dinner at Japanese restaurants. Anything with a nice strong taste, I love.

How did it feel walking into the famous kitchen?