Melanie Blatt is returning to the MasterChef kitchen on Wednesday night for the 2023 Christmas Cook-Off, which will see four contestants from previous series battle it out in a bid to win the coveted Golden Whisk.
Taking part alongside Mel are actor and comedian Richard Blackwood, singer Duncan James and reality star Faye Winter - none of whom took home the trophy last time around.
Mel managed to make it to the final when she competed last year but ultimately lost to Lisa Snowdon. While the singer is clearly a whiz in the kitchen, her forte was previously in the music industry. Get to know more about the star here, including who her famous ex is…
For those who don't know, 48-year-old Mel rose to fame as one-quarter of the nineties and noughties girl group All Saints. The pop band was very successful in their heyday and sold over ten million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. Some of their biggest hits include Pure Shores, Never Ever and Black Coffee.
Mel was a part of All Saints alongside other singers, Nicole and Natalie Appleton and Shaznay Lewis. The group ended up parting ways in 2001 due to fights between the members.
© BBC/Shine TVMelanie Blatt's family life
While working in the music industry, Mel met Stuart Zender, who is also a musician.
Stuart is best known for being a bass player for the band Jamiroquai, fronted by Jay Kay. However, he also has other credits to his name and has worked with big artists in the industry including Mark Ronson, Lauryn Hill, D'Angelo, and his former partner's band, All Saints.
© Photo: Getty ImagesMel and Stuart tied the knot in 1998, and while they were together welcomed a daughter called Lilyella. The couple parted ways in 2006 but since they are mostly private about their personal life, the reasons for their split is not publicly known.
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© Photo: Getty ImagesStuart isn't the only famous face in Mel's family, however. Viewers may also recognise her mum, Helene, who teamed up with her daughter on Celebrity Race Across the World in September.
While appearing on the show, Helene opened up about her decision to move the family to France when Mel was a teenager, explaining she "sold everything" so that her daughter could receive vital treatment for scoliosis.
© BBC/Studio Lambert Ltd"She had a really badly twisted spine, and the hospital informed us that if we didn't put her in a brace, she would probably be paralysed by the age of 21," Helene explained. "So we left England, sold everything and went to France for the operation."
Praising her mum's decision, Mel said: "You just do what you have to do for your kids, I get it. You're a really good mum."
