Channel 4 is launching rival to BBC’s hit series MasterChef called Beat The Chef

POACHING Bake Off clearly wasn’t the only way ­Channel 4 bosses were ­planning on stealing the Beeb’s cookery crown.

I can reveal the broadcaster is launching its own game show to rival hit series MasterChef.

Beat The Chef, which will air next year, will see amateur cooks go head-to-head with celebrity chefs in a series of challenges in a studio kitchen.

Every time a contestant beats the star guest with their dish, they climb a money ladder towards the show’s £10,000 prize. It will be hosted by Great British Menu judge Andi Oliver and will feature a “tasting jury”, who will blind test all the dishes.

A show insider said: “Those Bake Off fans who are waiting for the next series to start on Channel 4 will be served up Beat The Chef in the New Year. It’s being billed as MasterChef with a game show twist, where amateur cooks try to win challenges against the professionals for a jackpot prize.

“It’s going to be really fast-paced, and with a lot of money and reputations on the line, that’s definitely going to add to the drama of it. It’s much like the original version of daytime classic Ready Steady Cook hosted by so it’s a formula which works and producers hope will be a slice of TV gold.”

The four house chefs to beat include Michelin-starred Mark Sargeant, celebrity chef Clodagh McKenna, award-winning cook James Tanner and Roux Scholar Frederick Forster. The new series, which will be given a prime time evening slot, is based on the hugely-popular Nineties Japanese show Iron Chef, which aired for more than a decade.

Japanese contestants were challenged to a 25-minute cook-off against a star chef each week using different and unusual ingredients. That will be enough excitement to give anyone a soggy bottom.

Mr Grey looking all white

WATCH out Mr Darcy — Fifty Shades of Grey’s Jamie Doran can also smoulder in a white shirt. In this exclusive picture from BBC2 period drama, Death and Nightingales, starting on November 28, the actor competes with Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice.

Jamie’s co-star, Matthew Rhys, who’s wed to actress Keri Russell, admits: “He’s dreamy.”

Jamie said that on trips back to his native Northern Ireland pals put him in “loving headlocks”. Sounds like something from Fifty Shades.

Regency romp is a Corrie-on

IT IS supposed to be a lesbian love story about Regency toffs, but new period drama Gentleman Jack is looking more like a Corrie cast reunion.

As well as Suranne Jones playing lead character Anne Lister, Katherine Kelly has now joined the cast – and both actresses have played Steve McDonald’s wives in the ITV soap.

Suranne, who has also played the title role in drama Doctor Foster, was Corrie’s Karen Phillips, who was married to Steve twice – first in 2001, then again in 2004.  Mr Selfridge actress Katherine, who will play Anne’s lover’s sister in Gentleman Jack, played Becky Granger, who became Mrs McDonald in 2009.

As Corrie viewers know, none of their marriages ended well. Suranne and Katherine will be joined in the eight-part drama – set to air on BBC1 next year – by Sofie Grabol, star of Scandi thriller The Killing. Gentleman Jack tells the story of a wealthy woman landowner from Halifax, West Yorks, who had same-sex relationships at a time when homosexuality caused outrage and scandal.

I reckon Steve McDonald – who has had FIVE TV wives – has still had a more dramatic love life.

soapbox

MARTIN is feeling guilty in Eastenders, after talking to Ruby. He begs Kush to make out that he was responsible for giving the photo to the police. Kush agrees, but the lie spirals out of control when Ruby announces that she’s dropping the charges.

Stacey confronts Kush for his supposed actions, forcing Martin to step in and accept the blame. Meanwhile, Shirley returns to The Vic and is furious to hear about Linda turning against Mick.

Meanwhile, in Hollyoaks, it’s Lily’s 18th birthday but Prince has forgotten.Romeo gives him a heads-up about Lily’s special day but Prince is preoccupied after discovering a lump on his testicle.

Elsewhere, Mac tells Marnie to come along to Alfie’s psychological assessment today, which goes completely against their son’s wishes.