Who is in the Celebrity Masterchef semi-finals?

The Celebrity MasterChef competition is heating up in the kitchen as only eight stars make the semi-finals week.

The Celebrity MasterChef trophy is in sight. Cooking up a storm, the celebrities must master two challenges in the semi-finals in a bid to get closer to that trophy. John Torode and Gregg Wallace are on hand to sample all of the food on offer, as well as give a few hints and advice on the MasterChef journey.

There's a change of scene and pace for the semi-finals. The very first challenge sees the eight stars head to the South Downs National Park, home to the Butser Ancient Farm, a living museum telling the story of ancient Britain.

Read more: Celebrity MasterChef viewers lose patience with line-up and plead 'just stop'

The pressure is on as the celebrities competing must serve up a lunch to remember for the 70 volunteers who are there to recreate the excitement of the Anglo-Saxon village. Unlike any of the other challenges, the stars will be dishing up the food in two tents. They must choose a team leader wisely too. Then it's back to the MasterChef kitchen for the second task. At the end of the task, it'll be down to seven stars.

So which celebrities made it to the semi-finals?

Vito Coppola

Vito Coppola is best known for being a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing and he lifted the Glitter Ball trophy with Ellie Leach last year. The dancer waltzed his way into the semi-finals after wowing the chefs with his native Italian food. Coppola had been relying on Italian recipes that were passed down in his family.

Even though he served up two lots of different pasta in one episode, the judges were sold on his performance. Coppola celebrated his win with the words: "I am super happy. I am infinity happy. Tonight I'm going to call my grandparents and tell them I got to the semi-finals. They're going to be so happy. I can't wait."

Dominic Skinner

Arguably one of the less recognisable celebrities taking part in Celebrity MasterChef Dominic Skinner was determined to show he had the skills to make it through. And he did. Skinner has worked in the make-up and beauty business for 20 years but he has been a star on BBC’s hit show Glow Up for five series.

The Glow Up star pulled off a colourful dish in the final challenge guaranteeing him a place in the semi-final. He said: "I'm so shocked. I thought I pushed it a little too far with the blue rice... But yeah, maybe colours the thing."

Ian 'H' Watkins

No cooking Tragedy here! Ian H Watkins, from Steps, was one of the first celebrities to be put through to the semi-final of Celebrity MasterChef. The Welsh singer will be counting down 5, 6, 7, 8 to the semi-final airs on TV.

Despite being a performer and entertainer, H had no qualms admitting he was surprised to make it through the challenges of MasterChef. "I seriously thought I was a goner," he admitted. "I'm really lost for words. I can't believe it! I'm a semi-finalist. It's bonkers but brilliant."

Craig Doyle

This Morning presenter Craig Doyle has rubbed shoulders with John Torode while working on the daytime ITV show so no doubt he's picked up a few tips on the job. This time they were meeting again under different circumstances as Torode was judging Doyle's own cooking skills.

So far, so good as Doyle made it through to the semi-finals. He said: "They're incredible words from those guys and you actually have to earn it. I feel really proud about being in the semi-final. That's really special."

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey

Gladiator, ready? Yes, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was as the athlete was put through to the semi-final after being put through his paces in the kitchen. The Team GB Sprinter admitted he wasn't expecting to do so well though as he confessed to fellow competitor Rochenda Sandall that he was "shaking" after the result was revealed.

In a piece to camera, he added: "I thought being a quarter finalist was good but semi-finalist is even better. But the competition is not done yet and I've still got some things I can improve on. I've got to stay focussed!"

Rochenda Sandall

Rochenda Sandall was back on our screens but instead of dramas, the TV star was finding her feet in the reality TV world. The Line of Duty proved she had what it takes to get to the semi-finals of Celebrity MasterChef.

This was a big achievement for the star. She said: "This means everything to me. I can't believe I'm through to the semi-finals. I'm a semi-finalist of MasterChef and nobody can ever take that away from me!"

Tamer Hassan

Tamer Hassan is also from the acting worlds, best known for his part as the leader of the Millwall firm, opposite Danny Dyer in The Football Factory in 2004. The actor shared his candid surprise at making it to the semi-final.

He said: "So exciting, so happy and grateful to be here. Semi-finalist in MasterChef? Are you kidding me? Can't get better than that.

Jake Quickenden

Jake Quickenden is no stranger to reality TV stints, from X Factor to I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here. Now it was his turn to try out his cooking skills in front of the TV judges Wallace and Torode. Quickenden was pleasantly surprised with how he was getting on.

After landing a place in the semi-final, he said: "I don't know what's just happened. I honestly can't believe it. It's been pretty hard and I imagine it only gets harder. I can't wait. Let's do it!"

Goodluck celebrities, we can't wait to see how it goes down!

Watch Celebrity MasterChef's semi-finals next week on BBC iPlayer.