Ian Thorpe reveals why his appearance on Celebrity MasterChef made him feel ‘like an idiot’  

He’s a former Olympian, swimming record holder and beloved athlete – and Ian Thorpe took his winning mindset to Celebrity MasterChef Australia. 

But it didn’t take long for the 38-year-old to realise that they were aspects of his cooking skills that were a little rusty when he was competing.

Thorpe revealed to Stellar on Saturday that he even felt like an ‘idiot’ at one point when he had to separate an egg during a specific cooking challenge.  

 ‘I’d never done it before without an egg separator!’ said the shocked gold medallist. 

‘I asked Jock [Zonfrillo, one of the judges] where the egg separator was and he goes, ‘Mate, you’ve got two hands.’ 

‘I tried it and it’s the easiest method ever. I felt like such an idiot,’ he added. 

Whoops: ‘I’d never done it before without an egg separator!’ said the shocked gold medallist. Pictured on Celebrity MasterChef Australia

What? ‘I asked Jock [Zonfrillo, one of the judges] where the egg separator was and he goes, ‘Mate, you’ve got two hands.’ I tried it and it’s the easiest method ever. I felt like such an idiot,’ Ian said. Jock is pictured 

Thorpe admitted he struggled in the kitchen at times, something the camera occasionally picked up.

The former Olympian believes it was the pressure inside the kitchen which made it difficulty for him to keep his composure, which was surprising given how competing under pressure usually comes second nature to the medal-winning swimmer.  

‘It was more that I had multiple things going on at that time. It was all of those things and all the pressure. It is hot in the kitchen and I swear production turn up the heating to make everyone sweat,’ he said. 

More! He hasn’t ruled out doing more TV however – particularly sports commentary, but perhaps further reality shows too. ‘I’d like to do more of it. I really love live TV. I like that excitement.’ he said 

He hasn’t ruled out doing more TV however – particularly sports commentary, but perhaps further reality shows too. 

‘I’d like to do more of it. I really love live TV. I like that excitement.’ he said.  

Ian also confessed that he’s always had a fondness for cooking, even releasing his own cook book in 2011 titled: Cook For Your Life.       

Thorpe will compete in the latest season of Celebrity Masterchef amongst the likes of Chrissie Swan, Rebecca Gibney, Tilly Ramsey, Dami Im and Nick Riewoldt.  

Celebrity MasterChef Australia premieres this Sunday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play 

Read more: In this week’s issue of Stellar Magazine