Reality TV stars Joey Essex and Scarlett Moffatt will compete against the likes of former Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer on the latest series of Cooking With The Stars.

The ITV reality programme returns for its sixth series next month and will see 12 celebrities each paired with an accomplished chef who will mentor them towards becoming restaurant-standard cooks.

Emma Willis, who recently made her debut as one of the new presenters of Strictly, will return to host the upcoming series alongside comedian Tom Allen.

Essex, who has featured on shows such as The Only Way Is Essex, Love Island and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, is headed to the kitchen alongside fellow TV star Moffatt, who rose to fame on hit Channel 4 series Gogglebox.

Hauer will swap her dancing shoes for kitchen utensils, marking one of her first projects since she announced her departure from Strictly in March after 14 years on the BBC dancing competition.

Gladiator star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, with whom she was partnered on her final series of the show in 2025, is also among the celebrities who will battle it out for the coveted Golden Frying Pan trophy.

Five-time Olympic gold medallist Dame Laura Kenny is taking a step back from cycling as she enters the kitchen, while Emmerdale star Mark Charnock and TV presenter Zara McDermott are also among the fellow contestants.

Actress Caroline Quentin, who has appeared in shows such as Men Behaving Badly and Blue Murder, and Birds Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph complete the line-up.

Professional chefs taking part this year include Kate Austen, who made history in 2024 as the first female chef to win the main course on BBC cooking competition Great British Menu.

Nokx Majozi, who is a chef in residence at Fallow in London, and Soho restaurateur Angelo Sato are also among the professionals lined up to mentor the cast.

Willis is “thrilled” to return for the upcoming series and said: “Year after year, our celebrities continue to outdo themselves, surprising us and the audience with their culinary capability.

“This year we have a jam-packed line-up, with four additional celebrities competing compared to last year.

“With a fuller kitchen, there is bound to be even more fun, commotion, and kitchen disasters!”

Allen said: “I admire our celebrities’ confidence to showcase their cooking prowess by preparing dishes for a panel of esteemed chefs.

“Emma and I are joining forces again to unleash a brand-new season, there’ll undoubtedly be spectacular wins and downright catastrophes (fingers crossed it’s just slightly burnt, not inedible!).

“Get ready, let the delicious chaos commence!”

Cooking With The Stars is a partnership between Marks & Spencer, ITV and independent production company South Shore.

The new series will air at 7.30pm on October 5 on ITV1 and ITVX.