Celebrity MasterChef 2022: who is Jimmy Bullard & why is Soccer AM host wearing black latex gloves?

He’s endured the stress of top-flight football, but can London’s Jimmy Bullard handle the heat in the semi finals of Celebrity MasterChef 2022?

The much-adored celebrity cooking show returned to our screens at the start of august, with the former Wigan Athletic midfielder going head to head with celebrities such as Chris Eubank and Kitty-Scott Claus.

While he’s been no slouch in the kitchen, Bullard may well be remebered for the unsettling, black latex gloves he has worn intermmitently throughout the new season.

He is joined by eight other contestants as Semi-Finals Week gets underway.

Winners of the cooking reality show include ex-International rugby player, Matt Dawson and former Great British olympic athlete, Gregg Rutherford.

Who is Jimmy Bullard?

Jimmy Bullard was born in East Ham, London in 1978 and is known for his footballing career, making 145 appearances for Wigan Athletic and helping the side clinch promotion to the Premier League in 2004/2005. However, he is perhaps remembered for his recent appearances on television and as a pundit.

He started his football career at non-league club Corinthian before being signed as a 21-year-old for his boyhood club, West Ham United. Bullard failed to break into the side and left the club for Peterborough in 2001.

After an impressive spell at The Posh, Bullard attracted the attention of Championship side, Wigan Athletic. He signed a deal with the club worth £275,000.

He had a successful period at Wigan Athletic, from helping the team gain promotion from the Championship to playing in a League Cup final against Man United

Bullard made a move to Fulham where he spent a lot of time injured and large parts of his two-season spell missing from the first time. Despite this, he earnt a move away from the club for £5 million.

Bullard ended his football career at Hull, Ipswich Town, and Milton Keynes Dons. Since, he has appeared on football-based shows such as Soccer AM and Goals on Sunday - the former he now co-hosts.

In 2014, Jimmy Bullard appeared on the fourteenth series of I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here.

Why does Jimmy Bullard wear black gloves on Celebrity Masterchef 2022?

Throughout the season, Bullard has turned heads with one particular accessory - his black, latex gloves. The item of clothing - which he uses to prepare food - has startled viewers of the show.

Fans took to Twitter to express their confusion with one user saying: “Jimmy Bullard cooking in serial killer gloves is freaking me out #celebritymasterchef.”

Another user added: “So, why is Jimmy wearing gloves? I thought maybe a fish allergy, but for peeling potatoes? And then no gloves for some items?”

The jury is still out on Bullard’s Hannibal-esque choice of cooking attire and it may not be settled till the Soccer AM host himself wades in.

Who else appeared on Celebrity Masterchef 2022?

London is heavily represented in this year’s Celebrity Masterchef, with Adam Pearson, Cliff Parisi, Kitty Scott Claus, Lesley Joseph, Melanie Blatt, Richard Blackwood, Jimmy Bullard, Tony Adams and Gareth Malone all confirmed this season.

The full list of Celebrity Masterchef 2022 contestants:

• Adam Pearson (TV presenter and actor)
• Faye Winter (Love Island star)
• Katya Jones (Strictly Come Dancing professional)
• Clarke Peters (actor)
• Cliff Parisi (actor)
• Danny Jones (McFly member and TV judge)
• Gareth Malone (TV presenter and musician)
• Jimmy Bullard (former professional footballer)
• Kae Kurd (comedian)
• Kirsty Gallacher (TV presenter)
• Kitty Scott-Claus (drag performer)
• Lesley Joseph (actor)
• Chris Eubank (former world boxing champion)
• Lisa Snowdon (TV presenter)
• Mel Blatt (All Saints member)
• Nancy Dell’Olio (media personality)
• Paul Chuckle (actor and comedian)
• Mojo (reality star)
• Richard Blackwood (actor and comedian)
• Ryan Thomas (actor)

Who are the celebrities left in Celebrity MasterChef 2022?

Despite serving up two raw dishes already, Kitty-Scott Class will appear on this years semi-finals week alongside seven other celebrities. Here are the full list of semi-finalists:

• Mel Blatt 
• Danny Jones
• Lesley Joseph
• Kitty Scott-Claus
• Lisa Snowdon
• Faye Winter
• Cliff Parisi
• Jimmy Bullard

How can I watch Celebrity Masterchef 2022?

The Celebrity Masterchef 2022 Semi-Finals Week starts on Tuesday, September 6 at 9pm on BBC One, where one constestant will exit the show.

Another episode will air at the earlier time of 8pm on Thursday, September 8, where each celebrity will have to cook for Dame Merry Berry.

Six remaining constestants will then battle it out on the last episode of Semi-Finals Week, taking place on Friday, September 9 at 8:30pm on BBC One.

Catch-up episodes will also be available through BBC iPlayer shortly after its initial broadcast.