Pete Wicks has signed up for 'Celebrity MasterChef'.

Pete WIcks

Pete WIcks

The 'TOWIE' star will join Judy Murray - the mother of tennis legend Andy Murray - on the new series and producers are said to be hoping the heavily-tatooed 31-year-old hunk will bring in "younger viewers".

An insider told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre TV column: "Pete was snapped up by the Beeb as the eye candy.

"Everyone thinks Judy Murray is going to be all over him as she loves a good flirt with a younger man and Pete is the perfect fit.

"Getting Pete on board is also a surefire way to get younger viewers to tune in."

The pair will be going head-to-head to impress judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode with their culinary skills.

A source previously said on former 'Strictly Come Dancing' contestant Judy taking part: "Producers thought it was a massive coup to bag Judy for the TV contest. Judy has a big fan base and a lot of older women respect her, so will tune in. She loved filming and bonded with the other contestants, making some unlikely friendships.

"The competition this year was tougher than ever with some hard challenges and intricate recipes, pushing the celebs harder than before."

Despite the competition, the 60-year-old tennis coach previously admitted she "cannot cook" and has always relied on Marks & Spencer meals.

In 2018, she said: "I cannot cook. My mantra was, 'There's no need to cook so long as there's a Marks & Spencer in this life.' "But a cookery course in Italy is on my list of things to do, so there's hope for me yet.

"My mum is an amazing cook and baker but it never rubbed off on me. You might see me on 'Celebrity Bake Off' one day doing it very badly. That could be a giggle."

However, the Scot is up for the challenge and is ready to dedicate some time to beat her opponents.

Speaking over the weekend, she said: "I am very competitive. That's how I was brought up and I don't see anything wrong with that."Life is competitive. I just don't have the time for elaborate recipes or looking after the house."

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