BOLTON actress Ruth Madeley is among the contestants in the new BBC series Celebrity Best Home Cook.

The Westhoughton star of Years and Years is competing along nine other famous faces from sport, TV and comedy in a bid to impress judges Mary Berry, Angela Hartnett and Chris Bavin.

The winner will be crowned Celebrity Best Home Cook.

Ruth is joined by former politician Ed Balls and ex-Welsh rugby captain Gareth Thomas.

Reality TV star Ferne McCann, Celebs Go Dating’s Tom Read Wilson, Doctor Who’s Shobna Gulati and CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual are also starring in the BBC show.

Journalist Rachel Johnson, comedian Ed Byrne and writer Desiree Burch complete the line-up.

Ruth, who was educated in Farnworth, has also appeared in Cold Feet, Outnumbered and Fresh Meat.

In the series first episode, the BAFTA-nominated actress said that there was a lot of "Italian influence" in her kitchen, owing to her boyfriend Joe and his Italian mother.

She added: "Garlic, garlic salt, garlic seasoning - if you stink of garlic afterwards, you know you have had a good night."

Presenter Claudia Winkleman said: “I’m so happy the Home Cook team are going to be back together, albeit two metres apart.

“I can’t wait to see what our lovely cooks will whip up for Mary, Angela and Chris.”

As with previous series, each episode will consist of three rounds: The Ultimate, set by Mary; The Rustle Up, set by Chris; and The Eliminator, set by Angela.

Mary Berry, who turns 86 in March, is in one of the categories deemed most vulnerable to coronavirus.

As well as the usual social distancing guidelines and regular testing, extra precautions were taken to keep Dame Mary safe on the set.

This includes a 15ft-high special viewing platform as a mezzanine floor for her, so she could look down on everyone, as well as special opera glasses.

Celebrity Best Home Cook includes eight, one-hour episodes and first aired on Tuesday.

It will air every Tuesday and Wednesday on BBC One for eight episodes and online via the BBC iPlayer.