B&B by the Sea

World renowned dancer and head judge of Strictly Come Dancing, Shirley Ballas checks in to the B&B by the sea. Nestled on the wild coast of Northern Ireland, this nineteenth century Victorian villa is a very special place. Looked after by the host Sharon and her team, they ensure that all guests come away from the B&B with new skills and a fresh perspective.

Sharon is joined by Michelin-starred chef Alex Greene, who runs the kitchen and makes sure every meal is a truly memorable experience. Driver Rory ensures that all guests get to and from the B&B without a hitch, whilst providing extensive knowledge of the local area.

Nicknamed the Queen of Latin, Shirley takes a break from her hectic schedule to offer her time to the B&B, but Sharon and her team keep Shirley on her toes with this Northern Irish adventure. Unfortunately, there isn't any time to relax as Shirley is put straight to work with the team. From pig farming to pottery making, Shirley takes every challenge in her stride.

Deborah Meaden has taken time out of her busy schedule to lend a hand to the B&B team, but she has a unique connection to the sea, making this visit even more personal for the TV star. This stay is also an experience of firsts for Deborah, who has never been to Northern Ireland before, never ridden a horse in the sea before and wait for this… never cooked a meal before. Sharon and the team hope to see if this dragon can take the heat in the kitchen.

Television presenter and renowned maitre'd Fred Sirieix checks in to the B&B by the sea. Fred may have made his mark working in some of the world's best hotels and restaurants, but after recently discovering his Irish ancestry, he's lending his hospitality skills to the B&B team.

The team set Fred an important challenge to find the best local tipple to compliment a special custard. They visit the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world before mucking in at the local butchers to test Fred's sausage-making skills. Fred originally trained as a pastry chef, so he adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the B&B kitchen, where he takes on a seafood feast, a twist on the classic crumble and black and white pudding sausages. But Fred knows that no trip to the seaside is complete without a wee dip.

It's the turn of Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds to check in to the B&B. Ellie won our hearts competing for Team GB during four Paralympic games and although she might have recently retired from swimming, this athlete has a special connection to the water. The B&B by the sea is the perfect place for Ellie to reconnect with the water in a different way.

Sharon and the team take Ellie on a whistle stop tour of Northern Ireland's beautiful Causeway coast. During her stay she sets sail on the Atlantic Ocean, discovering all the magnificent coastline has to offer, including the site of former Kinbane Castle. And she visits a potato farm with a spectacular view and gets down and dirty digging for some spuds.

No time at the B&B is complete without a visit to the B&B kitchen, where chef Alex sets Ellie to work preparing a veggie bao bun feast and for brunch they tackle potato bread – a breakfast staple in these parts.

It's the turn of rugby star and presenter Ugo Monye to check into the B&B by the sea. Nestled on the wild coast of Northern Ireland, this nineteenth century Victorian villa is a very special place.

Ugo played for both the England and Harlequins teams but now he has retired from rugby, that hasn't stopped his adventurous spirit. He comes to the B&B eager to get stuck in with all the challenges the team throw at him. His first stop is seeing if he can bring in the catch of the day. The cold Northern Atlantic waters are to thank for providing Northern Ireland with spectacular seafood, and on this trip they're fishing for scallops. With the fresh catch, chef Alex is hoping to put Ugo to work in the kitchen preparing braised fennel, nduja and scallop stew, and for dessert, a chocolate brownie with a creamy Guinness ice cream.

TV broadcasting legend Gloria Hunniford checks in to the B&B.

Gloria left Northern Ireland to pursue her career, but this stay is an opportunity for Gloria to reconnect with her roots and reminisce on all that Northern Ireland has to offer.

But when a new guest checks in for their stay, there's no time to relax. Sharon and the team put them to work helping to run the B&B and encourage them to get stuck in with the day-to-day tasks. Gloria visits a local farm to collect some ingredients for dinner, but whilst there she meets an award-winning flock and discovers a project that benefits the local community.

Inspired by their trip, Gloria and chef Alex cook a feast of local lamb with cheesy gnocchi and a niçoise sauce, followed by a sticky date pudding for dessert.

No visit to the seaside is complete without a picnic on the beach and Gloria, host Sharon and driver Rory take the opportunity for an afternoon tea on the sandy shores beside the B&B. And before Gloria checks out, she helps out in the kitchen, baking a wheaten bread just like her mother used to make.

Coming to stay at the B&B is prolific actor and Gavin and Stacey star Larry Lamb. Larry is no stranger to Northern Ireland, but the B&B team make sure to take Larry on a whistle stop adventure, all in the name of a day's work at the B&B.

During Larry's stay he meets a special Japanese herd who help provide the star ingredient for the evening meal: a twist on the classic beef wellington with a Northern Irish wagyu steak, served with smoked mash and red cabbage. And while most guests start their morning at the B&B with a challenge, Sharon and driver Rory bring Larry to a local spot he's never visited before - the picturesque seaside town of Ballycastle, which has a special place in driver Rory's heart.

Before checking out, chef Alex takes Larry under his wing, baking a unique take on a Northern Irish soda bread with bacon and eggs. The perfect end to Larry's stay.

Checking in to the B&B is Welsh musician, author and radio host Cerys Matthews. Cerys may have travelled the world with her music, but this is her first visit to Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast, as well as a special B&B by the sea.

Cerys and chef Alex visit a local farm with a passion for turning rapeseed flowers into delicious flavoured oils. They meet Richard, a sixth generation farmer, and his wife Leona to learn more about their home-grown rapeseed oil. Cerys and Alex can't help but take some of the flavoured oils back to the B&B to match with the evening meal.

Knowing Cerys' love of cooking and Japanese flavours, chef Alex asks her to assist in preparing the B&B dinner. They make a dish of miso baked aubergines with a mixed bean salad, as well as a light and airy souffle cheesecake, the perfect end to the day.

Britain's fastest ever sprinter, Linford Christie, checks in the B&B hoping to make quick work of the daily tasks. He's taking a break from his coaching to reflect on his career, as well as embracing the itinerary the B&B team have set for the sporting legend.

Whilst at the B&B, Linford discovers a true taste of Northern Ireland's coast – a local honey flavoured with the wildflowers that decorate this spectacular coastline. With the help of the resident chef Alex, they create an epic feast of spiced spatchcocked chicken and strawberry trifle, all sweetened up with this local delicacy.

Linford has only recently learned to swim, and the B&B team know there's no fresher dip that jumping into waters off Northern Ireland's coast. Sharon takes Linford open-water swimming, a truly memorable experience for any newbie swimmer. And before Linford checks out, he takes another crack in the kitchen, whipping up some fluffy pancakes for the B&B brunch.

Television, stage and radio star Debbie McGee checks in to the B&B hoping to bring some magic to her stay. During Debbie's fifty plus years in showbiz, she's achieved a myriad of things, not least becoming the first female member of the magic circle in the 90s. But during Debbie's stay at the B&B, she experiences a number of firsts, including smoking fish and glass blowing with an unusual ingredient.

Her first stop on her Northern Irish adventure is the local smokehouse whose owner Ruairidh Morrison has mastered the art of hot and cold smoking local salmon to perfection. Ruairidh has also experimented with smoked black pepper which adds a kick to the B&B dessert.

Debbie found a love of the kitchen cooking for her late husband Paul Daniels, so fits right at home with chef Alex in the B&B kitchen. Here they whip up a seafood feast and a sweet treat incorporating the locally smoked black pepper.

Proud Geordie biker Si King is taking a break from his travels around the world to check in to the B&B by the sea. Si is well known for his part in TV cooking duo The Hairy Bikers, but this time he's riding solo, mucking in at the B&B.

Whilst Si is keen to help in the kitchen, first he is sent on a mission to find the perfect pairing beer for the B&B dinner. Hoping to support the local community in everything they do, Sharon organises for Si to visit the Lacada Brewery – a community-led project that has mastered the art of the perfect brew.

With the local flavourful tipple, Si assists chef Alex in the kitchen creating a seafood feast to celebrate the bountiful catch from Northern Ireland's coast.

Before Si checks out, the team take him to meet a group of local anglers hoping to bring in the catch of the day.

It's the turn of football legend Neil 'Razor' Ruddock to check in to the B&B. Razor retired from the beautiful game 20 years ago, but he hasn't succumbed to the quiet life just yet. Razor's been keeping himself busy regularly hosting talks and appearing on our TV screens and he brings that attitude with him to the B&B.

Sharon and Alex want to give Razor the opportunity to learn more about the local produce, so Alex takes him to Glenarm Castle's estate to meet their herd of Shorthorn cattle. Shorthorns were first reared in the 1800s in the north east of England, but over the years have been brought over to the fields of Northern Ireland and are prized for their exceptional meat quality. Armed with a rack of Shorthorn ribs, they have no excuse than to create a delicious dinner for the whole B&B team.

Knowing Razor might need to brush up on his Northern Irish history, Sharon brings him to Londonderry for a little lesson. Famous for its intact 17th century walls, the city is one of the few in Europe that never saw its fortifications breached.

Before Razor checks out, he has one last task - cooking a hearty veggie brunch with the resident chef.

Actress and comedian Nina Wadia checks in to the B&B. Nina was brought up near the coast in Hong Kong and has fond recollections of her time by the water, so her stay at the B&B is a chance to reminisce on her favourite memories of the seaside. Luckily, the B&B team believe there's no better way to get to know the local area than setting sail to witness the beautiful coastline. But Nina doesn't get to relax, she's put to work bringing in the catch of the day – lobster. And all that hard graft can't go to waste, because she's taught by chef Alex how to cook a decadent lobster linguine with wild garlic to celebrate the fresh catch.

Day two brings more new experiences for Nina - a turn making chocolate truffles with the local chocolatier. If she can resist eating them, they'll be the perfect treat to end her stay at the B&B.

It's the turn of actor Adam Woodyatt to check into the B&B. Adam has recently taken a break from his famous role as Ian Beale in long-running soap Eastenders, so for this trip he'll be swapping London's East End for Northern Ireland's spectacular Causeway coast.

When a guest checks in for their stay, there's no time to relax. For dinner, Alex needs Adam's help to prepare an Indian-inspired feast, but they're still missing a few key ingredients. Luckily Sharon knows a local farm that might be able to help.

Chef Alex makes use of Adam's newfound passion for cooking, preparing an Indian spiced goat curry with yoghurt flat breads, followed by a rhubarb fool with a chai tea-infused custard. A perfect way to toast Adam's first day exploring the Causeway coast.

After a good night's sleep, Sharon decides the best wake up call for Adam is a workout on the beach. Accompanied by some local fitness enthusiasts, he's put through his paces with a special fitness session, trying to keep up with the rest of the B&B team.

Hollyoaks star and comedian Richard Blackwood is checking in to the B&B. Richard decided at a young age that he was destined for a life in the spotlight, but during his stay, he'll be taking a break from stardom to muck in with the B&B team.

The team task Richard with looking after the star ingredient for the B&B shopping list – making some chorizo for a French-inspired supper. The B&B's resident chef Alex takes him to meet a local pig farmer with a speciality for charcuterie to help Richard in his mission.

Whilst staying at the B&B, all guests test their cooking skills in the kitchen, helping to prepare the evening meal. Chef Alex takes Richard under his wing to prepare a cassoulet celebrating the locally-made chorizo, and a sea buckthorn tart inspired by Northern Ireland's coastline.

Day two and Sharon has a special task in mind for Richard. He might be known for his sharp wit, but Sharon wants him to sharpen his skills working with a local artisan producer. Can Richard handle the heat of the blacksmith's forge?