A GUESTHOUSE proprietor from Buckland Monachorum will join TV super chefs tomorrow (Friday) when he features in the popular BBC programme 'Ready, Steady, Cook!'.
James McQueen successfully made it through auditions in Bristol to win a place on the programme in which contestants bring a surprise bag of ingredients for chefs to rustle up a delicious dish in just 20 minutes.
James, proprietor of Uppaton House in Buckland, is hoping his TV debut will raise the profile of the Plymouth Kidzzz charity — and hopefully bring the winnings or runner's-up hamper back to Devon.
James's wife, Dr Alison Carr, a consultant paediatric anaesthetist, is chairman of the Derriford Hospital charity which works to make children's experience of an operation less stressful by providing toys, televisions and cheerful wall murals.
'It's really just to ease children's passage through theatre — the recovery is then good as well,' said James.
He said the Plymouth Kidzzz trustees decided to apply for an audition for Ready Steady Cook as a way of highlighting the work of the charity, which was set up about a year ago.
'Of course I cook quite a lot anyway, so I was the mug who went forward for it,' said James, who admitted he would probably be a bit nervous when the cameras start to roll on Friday.
He is taking a 'gourmet bag' of goodies to the studios, which will probably include Dover sole, asparagus and rice.
He is hoping to pick up some culinary tips from his chef partner on the show, Lesley Waters, and was looking forward to the day whatever the outcome.
'It's going to be fun,' he said.
James will be accompanied to London by his wife, Alison, and two-and-a-half year old daughter, Amy, who 'hasn't quite comprehended' the fact that Daddy is going to be on the television.
'It'll probably be "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy" when it finally does come on the television,' said James.
'Ready, Steady, Cook!' featuring James McQueen working with Lesley Waters will be broadcast on April 6.