The BBC has revealed some of this year’s MasterChef contestants and there’s a man from Lancashire included in the lineup.

Matt will don a MasterChef apron in Heat 1 on the BBC show.

But who is Matt and why did he enter? Speaking to the BBC, he shared that his “favourite hobby” is cooking.

Who is MasterChef contestant Matt from Lancashire?

Matt is a 32-year-old butcher who grew up in Blackpool and he now lives in the seaside town with his wife Leanne and his three young children.

When asked about his style of cooking, he said: “My cooking style is a mix of different influences. I grew up eating mostly home-cooked meals, so I'm comfortable with making a variety of dishes from scratch.

“I also love trying new things, so I'm always looking for new recipes to try out. In general, I would say my cooking style is pretty and flavourful. I like to cook modern food but sometimes you can’t beat the classics.”

Matt described his earliest cooking memory, saying: “I started cooking at the age of 15. I used to love making the family a Sunday lunch or a homemade burger.

“I never thought my cooking was anything special, but everyone always asked me to make tea. I don’t know if that was because they enjoyed my cooking or simply could not be bothered to make it themselves!

“Either way it gave me great confidence to get in the kitchen and make people happy.”

MasterChef turns 20 this year and Matt says he started watching the show around a decade ago.

He said: “I started watching MasterChef around 10 years ago and have been hooked ever since. It has given me so much inspiration for cooking and presentation.

“The food you see on the show I wasn’t what I was used to seeing in restaurants around Blackpool, so when I first watched the programme it was a huge culture shock.

“I believe MasterChef has really influenced people’s thoughts on cooking. I also think it has encouraged people to branch out and try top end, high quality food and go to restaurants they might not have before.”

Matt said he applied to be on the show because of his love for cooking, saying: “I entered MasterChef because I love to cook - it’s my favourite hobby. MasterChef is the Champions’ League of cooking competitions and is great to watch. I’m also keen to see how I fare against other amateur cooks.”

When asked about his food dream, he said: “My cooking dream is to open a butcher’s shop-themed restaurant, where diners can choose how their meat is served. For example, what cut of steak they want and how thick, and then have in-house butchers cut it in front of you.”

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How to watch MasterChef 2024

Across eight weeks, judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace will set out to find the UK’s best amateur cook, serving up surprises and extra special occasions along the way.

MasterChef returns for its 20th series from Monday, April 1 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Viewers can watch the second heat on BBC iPlayer from April 1 and on BBC One from 9pm on April 3.