Jamie Lomas: From Hollyoaks Villain to MasterChef Finalist – How he lost to Ginger Jhonson

In the high-pressure world of Celebrity MasterChef 2025, Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas swapped playing one of soap’s most notorious villains for the heat of the kitchen — and came agonisingly close to the grand final.

The 50-year-old actor made it all the way to the Final Five before being eliminated in Finals Week on 15 December 2025, narrowly missing out on a shot at the title that ultimately went to drag artist and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Ginger Johnson.

From Soap Opera Bad Boy to Surprise Kitchen Contender

Best known for his long-running role as the ruthless, charismatic Warren Fox in Hollyoaks (a part he returned to multiple times between 2006 and 2024), Jamie Lomas has built a career on intensity, drama, and larger-than-life characters.

He also appeared as Jake Stone in EastEnders. Fans were intrigued when he announced he was stepping away from the soap to take on Celebrity MasterChef Series 20 — a show where celebrities with little professional cooking experience are pushed to their limits.

Jamie quickly proved he wasn’t just another famous face. Throughout the heats and semi-finals, he impressed judges John Torode and Grace Dent with his creativity, competitiveness, and ability to deliver under pressure.

He was even named “Cook of the Day” in one semi-final round, showing genuine talent and a willingness to take risks in the kitchen.

Finals Week: The High-Stakes Afternoon Tea Challenge

Finals Week kicked off with the remaining five celebrities — Jamie Lomas, Alfie Boe, Alun Wyn Jones, Dawn O’Porter, and Ginger Johnson — heading to the iconic Wedgwood pottery in Stoke-on-Trent.

Under the guidance of world-renowned pastry chef Cherish Finden, they had to prepare a celebratory afternoon tea for special guests, including the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent.

Jamie leaned into his theatrical side with a fun, Treasure Island-themed dish: tempura prawn popcorn served with a creative “nacho sand.”

While the prawns themselves were praised for their execution, the overall concept drew mixed feedback — particularly the accompanying “sand” element.

His showstopper, a lemon drizzle cake, also suffered technical issues with a split curd, costing him crucial points in a round where precision and presentation were everything.

When the judges gathered the Final Five, they delivered the tough news: Jamie was the one going home. It was a heartbreakingly close call that left just four stars to battle on toward the grand final.

In a gracious post-elimination moment, Jamie reflected: “It’s kind of bitter sweet to have to go. But I will continue to cook at home. No one can ever take it away from me that I am a Celebrity MasterChef finalist.”

How Ginger Johnson Claimed the Title

While Jamie’s journey ended in Finals Week, Ginger Johnson (real name Donald Marshall) powered through to the grand final on 19 December 2025.

The drag queen, who had already won RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 5 in 2023, delivered consistently inventive, exciting, and imaginative dishes throughout the competition.

In the final cook-off against author and broadcaster Dawn O’Porter and former rugby player Alun Wyn Jones, Ginger served a show-stopping 1970s-inspired three-course menu.

Her standout starter — a Bloody Mary prawn cocktail with spicy tomato and vodka sauce, Worcestershire jelly cubes, and celery-salted crisps — perfectly captured her bold, theatrical style.

Judges described her cooking as “extraordinary” and praised her ability to combine creativity with technical skill under immense pressure.

Ginger was crowned Celebrity MasterChef Champion 2025, becoming the first drag queen to win the title and the 20th overall winner of the celebrity version.

A New Chapter for Jamie Lomas

Though he didn’t lift the trophy, Jamie Lomas left Celebrity MasterChef with something valuable: proof that his talents extend far beyond the soap opera stage.

His journey showed fans a more personal, passionate side — one that loves cooking, thrives on competition, and isn’t afraid to experiment.

From murdering villain Warren Fox to MasterChef finalist, Jamie reminded viewers that reinvention is always possible. And as he said himself, no one can take away the fact that he made it to the very end stages of one of Britain’s toughest celebrity cooking competitions.

Ginger Johnson may have taken the crown, but Jamie Lomas proved he belongs in the conversation.

You can watch the full series of Celebrity MasterChef 2025 on BBC iPlayer. Follow Jamie on Instagram @jamielomas21 and Ginger @houseofjohnson for more behind-the-scenes moments.