Ex-soap star wins Hell's Kitchen
Former soap star Jennifer Ellison has been crowned champion celebrity chef on ITV1 reality show Hell's Kitchen.
The 21-year-old ex-Brookside actress squealed with delight as host Angus Deayton announced the winner of the public vote on Sunday evening.
As she celebrated with champagne, Ellison said: "I can't believe it, I didn't know how to boil an egg."
She was among 10 contestants who had spent two weeks being taught kitchen skills by fiery chef Gordon Ramsay.
Ellison said: "This was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.
"But it is probably one of the best things I have ever done in my life. I have learned so much."
Ramsay said of her: "She is going to go on and become phenomenally successful.
"She has been a complete surprise, the best cook in the house."
Former Bros singer Matt Goss, 35, was ejected from the show on Sunday, leaving just Ellison and runner-up James Dreyfus, 35, to battle for the crown.
Goss described the experience as "an emotional rollercoaster", while Dreyfus said: "It would've been unjust if I had won - I'm an appalling cook."
The other contestants had included former government minister Edwina Currie, comic Al Murray, TV presenter Abi Titmuss, ex-Coronation Street actress Amanda Barrie, US singer Belinda Carlisle, athlete Dwain Chambers and DJ Tommy Vance.
Ramsay, who runs London's only three-star Michelin restaurant, Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, paid tribute to the contestants.
He said: "It has been really difficult, but in the second week, we turned the corner."
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Published: 2004/06/07 09:01:19 GMT
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http://www.inthenews.co.uk/television/types-tv/reality-and-talent-tv/geordie-terry-wins-hells-kitchen-finale-$8416758.htm
Geordie chef Terry Miller claimed victory in last night's final Hell's Kitchen showdown.
The 46-year-old from Newcastle took a giant step towards fulfilling a dream by walking off with £250,000 to put towards his own restaurant.
Polling more viewer votes than rival 28-year-old Kellie from Kent, he said: "It's just fantastic, Angus. It's really fantastic."
Terry, under the guidance of Gary Rhodes, and Kellie, under the guidance of Jean-Christoph Novelli, were the last of ten contestants battling it out for the Hell's Kitchen crown.
And Gary's protege, famed for his King Prawn Rockafella, admitted last night that he hadn't even intended to put himself forward for the show.
He told show host Angus Deayton: "I was never here for the competition. My son saw an advertisement on the internet and entered for us."
"Then the wife and son had to drag us down for the auditions."
As for the loser, former army HGV driver Kellie, her mentor Jean-Christoph was such a big fan that a job offer may be looming.
So maybe Elsie and other non chefs will make it to the end...... although Mr. 'Tats' is my favorite at this point...