Former shadow chancellor Ed Balls and Boris Johnson's sister Rachel Johnson are among the 10 celebrities taking part in the new series of Best Home Cook.

The show - fronted by Claudia Winkleman - features contestants showing off their comforting home dishes for assessment by judges Mary Berry, Angela Hartnett and Chris Bavin.

For the first time the new series, which is being filmed under coronavirus safety guidelines, will feature a lineup of famous faces taking on the usual rounds - Mary's The Ultimate, Angela's The Rustle-Up and Chris's The Eliminator.

In addition to the political figures, also appearing are actors Ruth Madeley and Shobna Gulati, comedians Ed Byrne and Desiree Burch, ex-Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas, TOWIE's Ferne McCann, CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual and Celebs Go Dating's Tom Read Wilson.

"I'm so happy the Home Cook team are going to be back together, albeit two metres apart," said Winkleman. "I can't wait to see what our lovely cooks will whip up for Mary, Angela and Chris."

Charlotte Moore, the BBC's director of content, said: "There is going to be plenty of heat in the Best Home Cook kitchen when we return with a new series full of a wonderful mix of celebrities serving up their favourite dishes."

Filming on the eight-part series is already thought to be underway ahead of an expected transmission on BBC One later this year.