Sussex Come Dine with Me contestants now best friends

The show has previously been responsible for some of the most awkward, hilarious and tense moments of British TV and is known for its turbulence.

Starting last week in Basingstoke, the latest series is filmed in a 'Covid house' that the total strangers are driven to and from each night to cook and entertain in.

Monday August 9 sees the first episode of the Sussex week air and viewers will meet the five contestants as they compete for the £1,000 prize.

The cast found within a few days of filming that they were quickly becoming the best of friends, much to the disappointment of the producers.

"We really flipped the script, what they look for is controversy, antagonistic behaviour and they want people to fight.

"I don't think they've come across five people who have got along so well whilst still being so entertaining at the same time," said Paula Woolven, aged 49 from Peacehaven.

Sarah Parham, aged 52 of Hurstpierpoint, said: "We were all so supportive of each other and when things went wrong we were all still kind to one another."

• READ MORE: Zoe Ball's son hints desire to go on Strictly Come Dancing

They are all still in constant contact and have even visited each other's homes for their own version of the show.

"We're all taking it in turns to go to each other's houses, we've done two already, because we never got that chance," said Rottingdean resident, Josie Jakub, 43.

Filming for this season started in May 2021 when there were still coronavirus restrictions in place such as social distancing and limits on people inside.

The contestants said they spent a lot of time in the cold garage of their Covid house in between filming, completely socially distanced and wearing masks.

When it came to each of their nights they were tasked with bringing all ingredients, decorations and anything else they required for their theme in the taxi.

Sarah said: "They had to have a table large enough that we could all sit at but always be two metres apart from each other, which made decorating it a bit more difficult."

Each of this weeks chefs said it was a particularly quick turnaround from application to filming as they only applied for the show in April.

"We were actually filmed first but they decided to air Basingstoke's week first," said Rod Richardson, 50, Haywards Heath.

"I'm not sure if they're saving the best for last or if it's because they have some conflict in theirs and we really don't have any."

He said that their week was definitely based more on cooking than drama and that should be evident in the programme.

• READ MORE: Brighton Gogglebox star shocks fans after revealing age

The cast spoke about how they were urged by producers to 'save it for the table' meaning to not reveal anything about themselves until it was their own night to entertain.

Paula, charity owner, said: "We didn't know a thing about Hassan, he was an utter mystery. We could not decipher anything about him for the first three days.

"We then found out he was a vegan solicitor and part time comedian and he performed a comedy sketch that blew us away."

Hassan Dervish, aged 46 of Worthing, claims that he was quiet because he was extremely intimidated by the others: "They were all seasoned dinner party hosts, I was hoping for people who would rock up and do fajitas and not really care - but it was nothing like that."

Rod and Hassan formed a 'bromance' once they learned of their shared love for comedy, Rod's side job, and are performing together at a comedy night next week following Hassan's episode.

All three women will be in the audience to cheer the comedians on in Worthing next Thursday.

They all agree that the experience was especially tiring travelling to and from the location every day as well as another location for each day's menu reveal.

"I think it was even more exhausting in the first two days because everyone was trying to work out who was going to be the antagonist and cause all the problems," Hassan said.

"But of course that never came and we realised that everyone was actually lovely on about day two."

Rod, a travel manager originally from London, said that appearing on Come Dine with Me has been a lifelong ambition for him.

"I made no secret that I really wanted to win, and I went on it just wanting to win. But then at the end of my night I broke down a bit because I was so overwhelmed by how lovely everyone was and how much fun I had. I realised I really didn't care about winning anymore."

He added that doing it under Covid was definitely not what he had envisioned, he had planned how his home would look and the entertainment he would have for years.

"I think if I was to do anything else differently it would be that I would have been more myself sooner, I was a bit too worried about how I would come across and I'm still slightly worried about how I'll be perceived but at least I know we're all good friends no matter what happens."

Paula had a completely different experience and decided to apply for the show on a whim one day.

"I didn't doubt for a second that I would get through. My unique selling point was that I was going to use food past its use by date because my charity deals with food waste prevention.

"I had decorations all about bins and recycling so they probably thought I was a dumpster diver or something."

• READ MORE: The X Factor axed: 7 Sussex links to hit talent show

For Sarah she was told to go on the show by a friend and declined because she would be too busy with her jewellery company but she randomly changed her mind one day.

"I just thought to myself I haven't had a holiday this year and all I've done is work, I wanted to give my brain something else to think about and it did me the world of good - and I met four amazing people."

Hassan, was convinced he would not hear back from Channel 4 when he applied because he felt he 'had nothing to lose.'

"I think if I'm honest I wouldn't do it again because it was so stressful against these professionals, I thought everyone would be as laid back as me.

"But it was great fun and I've ended up with some amazing friends so I'm happy I did it.

"I do wish we'd been in each other's houses so we'd feel more relaxed."

"I applied for Come Dine because everyone told me I shouldn't, so of course I had to," Josie laughed.

The marketing executive had seen a post on a Brighton and Hove Facebook page and applied because of how much she missed out on during lockdown.

"My whole thing was tarot, which you wouldn't expect from a corporate woman but I've been wanting to come out of the tarot closet and I feel like such a better person for it."

Josie's night was all tarot themed including her menu and her entertainment but was disappointed that she had to change it to a more spiritual theme because of Channel 4 restrictions on tarot card inclusion.

The Sussex contestants were graced by a visit from the voiceover star Dave Lamb who lives in Lewes and has never been seen before by casts or crew.

He made a special appearance along with Channel 4 boss to watch the first filming post lockdown.

Ahead of the episodes being aired on Monday, starting with Rod, the cast are apprehensive about how they will be edited to come across because of the complete lack of drama they provided.

"They film you for like a 12 hour period and then only show half an hour, so it's worrying how they'll make you look and if they take things out of context," Rod said.

However, they are comforted that they are all so close they can explain and set the record straight if that happens.

Paula said: "If nothing else, meeting these four guys has made lockdown liveable and I'm so grateful we met."

The Sussex week of this season of Come Dine with Me airs from Monday to Friday next week on Channel 4 and will be available on demand on 4oD.

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.