January 10th 2025.
For two whole decades, the beloved Channel 4 show Come Dine With Me has been gracing our TV screens with moments of pure gold. It has become a staple in British culture, just as much a part of our daily lives as discussing the weather, sipping tea, or obsessing over the price of Freddos. The premise is simple yet entertaining - five strangers take turns hosting dinner parties and the one with the highest score wins. But what sets this show apart from others is the sassy narration from Dave Lamb, the opportunity for viewers to peek into people's homes, and the larger-than-life characters that never fail to entertain.
With over 2,000 episodes under its belt, Come Dine With Me has seen its fair share of meltdowns and dramatic moments. In honor of its 20th anniversary, let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most unforgettable moments from the show.
First up, we have the iconic line from contestant Peter: "What a sad little life Jane." In 2016, during the final dinner party, Peter discovered he had landed in last place and couldn't hold back his disappointment. With a fierce glare directed at winner Jane, he proclaimed, "Enjoy the money, I hope it makes you very happy. Dear lord, what a sad little life Jane." He went on to suggest that she use the money to take some lessons in grace and decorum, comparing her to a reversing dump truck without any tires. It was a moment that left us all in stitches and is still talked about years later.
Who could forget "whisk guy" Kevin Riley? During a 2012 episode, he made the internet explode when he shoved an entire whisk into his mouth for no apparent reason. When asked about it, he simply said he did it to make the producer laugh, and it certainly did. The clip went viral, racking up over 230,000 views on YouTube. Kevin has even capitalized on his fame, making £240 a day on Cameo after not making a penny on the show. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade.
Then there was the unexpected guest at Claire's dinner party - her pet snake, Fluffy. As if having a snake slither around the table during dinner wasn't enough, Fluffy decided it was the perfect time to relieve itself right in the middle of the table, causing one guest to feel sick. Narrator Dave Lamb recalled this incident as one of the worst things he's seen in his 20 years on the show. And let's not forget the time when contestant Lee lost his temper and flung his burnt creme brulée out the window. It's safe to say his dinner party didn't go as planned.
But perhaps the most epic moment in Come Dine With Me history belongs to contestant Heather. In 2014, she was absolutely livid when she found out she came in last place. After reading out the results, she exclaimed, "I don't believe this!" and went on to berate her fellow contestants for giving her a low score. Her outburst ended with her storming out of the room, leaving us all in awe of her tantrum.
While the show may seem like a never-ending party, former contestants have revealed that there is actually a lot of drinking involved. Dog business owner Karen Chamberlain and radio DJ Mary Flavelle, who appeared on the show in 2015 and 2017 respectively, spilled the tea on what it's really like behind the scenes. So there you have it - a glimpse into the wild world of Come Dine With Me. Now, if you'll excuse us, we'll be rewatching these iconic moments and laughing till our sides hurt.
For two glorious decades, the Channel 4 programme Come Dine With Me has been a staple of our TV schedules, delivering countless moments of pure entertainment. It's hard to imagine a world without it, as it has become as much a part of British culture as discussing the weather, sipping tea, or having an inexplicable fascination with the price of Freddos.
The premise of the show is simple yet brilliant: five strangers take turns hosting dinner parties over the course of a week, and the person with the highest score from their fellow guests wins. But it's not just about the food, as viewers also get to peek into the contestants' homes and witness some of the biggest personalities on television. With over 2,000 episodes aired, including some of the most epic meltdowns and dramatic moments, it's no wonder that Come Dine With Me has become an iconic programme.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most memorable moments in the show's history. We can't start this list without mentioning the unforgettable line uttered by Peter during one of the final dinner parties. As he realized he was in last place, he couldn't help but shoot a glare at the winner, Jane, and declare, "Enjoy the money, I hope it makes you very happy. Dear lord, what a sad little life Jane." It was a moment that left us in stitches and is still talked about to this day.
Another moment that has gone down in Come Dine With Me history is the infamous "whisk guy," Kevin Riley. During a 2012 episode, he made the questionable decision to shove an entire whisk in his mouth, purely for the amusement of the producer. Little did he know that it would become an instant meme, with the video racking up hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. Kevin has even cashed in on his fame through the app Cameo, making £240 a day after not making a penny on the show.
But it's not just the contestants that make the show so entertaining. In one episode, a guest named Claire shocked her fellow diners by bringing out her pet snake, Fluffy, to join them at the dinner table. As if that wasn't enough, Fluffy then proceeded to relieve himself on the table, leaving everyone feeling a bit queasy. Narrator Dave Lamb fondly recalls this incident, stating that it was "one of the worst things" he's seen in 20 years of the show.
Of course, no cooking show would be complete without some kitchen disasters. During one dinner party, chef Lee lost his cool when his creme brulée ended up burning. Instead of salvaging the dessert, he decided to fling it out the window, much to the amusement of narrator Dave. To top it off, he also served food that had been dropped on the floor, much to his guests' horror.
And finally, we can't forget about contestant Heather, who gave us one of the most memorable reactions in the show's history. After finding out she came in last place, she went on a full-on rant, insisting that her food and presentation were far superior to her competitors'. Her outburst was pure TV gold and a testament to the incredible characters that have graced the show over the years.
But what is it really like to take part in Come Dine With Me? Former contestants Karen Chamberlain and Mary Flavelle have spilled the tea on their experiences behind the scenes, revealing that there is a lot more drinking involved than viewers might think. So if you ever get the chance to participate, just remember to bring your best cooking skills and your highest alcohol tolerance. And with that, let's raise a glass to 20 years of Come Dine With Me, one of the most incredible shows on the box. Cheers!
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