THE makers of popular television show Come Dine With Me are returning to Basingstoke hoping to find more budding chefs in the town.

The Channel 4 series has previously filmed contestants in the town, recording some of its most memorable shows in the programme’s history.

This included in 2014 when four contestants from Basingstoke – landscape gardener Toby Pullen, Hospital Radio Basingstoke DJ Zaira Sheikh, published author James Littleworth and self-confessed “lady of leisure” Heather Horsfall - competed to win £1,000 prize-fund.

But tensions ran high at the end of the contest when the results were announced and host Heather discovered she had come in last place.

To say she took it badly would be an understatement.

Prior to this in 2009, thousands of people were touched by the story of Come Dine With Me contestant Spencer Uren, who appeared on the programme to try and win the prize money for his sister Sorelle, who had cancer.

But in a tragic twist, 37-year-old Spencer died of cancer himself just a few months after filming in May 2009.

His fellow contestants set up a fundraising appeal called Come Dine for Spencer in his memory, which raised thousands of pounds for the cancer ward at Basingstoke hospital.

Now, Come Dine With Me is set to return to Basingstoke from May 31 to June 4 and is looking for residents to apply.

Sasha Risner, casting producer for the show, said: “Following the success of previous episodes in Brighton and Hove we are back looking for hosts to create the recipe for success. We are looking for keen cooks with bags of energy and who are up for the challenge of winning £1,000.”

Applicants must be over 18 and not working or trained as a professional chef.

The TV show sees the contestants taking it in turns to host a dinner party for the other participants, who then score each other at the end of the evening.

The makers of the programme have changed the filming format slightly because of Covid, using a centralised house to host social dinner parties.

To apply visit https://itv.etribez.com/ag/itvmultistory/cdwm/welcome.html or email cdwm@multistory.tv.