McGuigan crowned a knock-out chef

Former world boxing champion Barry McGuigan  was crowned head chef of ITV's culinary reality show Hell's Kitchen. The 46-year-old television boxing expert beat off competition from 10 other celebrities in the public vote.

McGuigan was named ahead of 26-year-old Emmerdale actress Adele Silva after two weeks of competition.

Chef Marco Pierre White spent the last fortnight attempting to train the group of 10 celebrity amateurs into professional chefs able to serve dishes to a restaurant full of discerning diners.

The celebrities - separated into a red and a blue team - battled it out live every night to try to become the winning chef. McGuigan grinned and hugged Silva as presenter Angus Deayton  told him of his victory last night.

And he paid tribute to White, describing him as "an exceptional man". "I've had a fabulous time, we all have. It's been a fabulous journey," he said.

Silva, best known for playing Kelly Windsor in Emmerdale, took second place after beginning the show admitting she was unable to boil an egg.

Earlier, McGuigan and Silva undertook a taste test and cooked lunch for television presenter Piers Morgan and restaurant critic Giles Coren.

White, whose legendary temper has resulted in him throwing irritating customers out on the street, told the two contestants: "Congratulations, well done. You've both come through with your reputations intact which I think is important."

Other contestants included model Abigail Clancy, actress Kelly LeBrock, former newspaper editor Rosie Boycott, TV presenter Anneka Rice , singer Paul Young, comedian Jim Davidson and TV presenter Brian Dowling.

In series one, actress and singer Jennifer Ellison was crowned the winning chef after creating a signature dish of burger with chunky chips under the guidance of Gordon Ramsay.

In the second series, under the guidance of Gary Rhodes, 10 members of the public stepped up to the challenge.