Dell'Olio: 'Therapist suggested Burnout'

Nancy Dell'Olio has claimed that her therapist suggested appearing on reality TV show Marco's Kitchen Burnout would be a good idea.

Dell'Olio will compete against comic Jason Byrne and TV star Debra Stephenson on this week's third heat in the cookery contest.

Speaking about her reasons for signing up for the series, the Italian businesswoman said: "I have never done anything like this in my life. I get asked to do so many things but I always say no. My psychotherapist told me it was a good thing for me to do. It's a chance for me to learn something from Marco, but this is also a test for life.

"That's why my therapist suggested, in a funny way, that you never know the things you can discover about yourself doing something like this. I am ready to get to know other sides of myself, and to show other sides of myself to people."

Dell'Olio, who has been romantically linked to the show's star Marco Pierre White in the past, denied that her friendship with the chef would boost her chances on the show.

"I don't think this gives me an advantage over the other contestants. If anything, the fact that we are friends could play to my disadvantage, and I might have to try harder," she added.

Marco's Kitchen Burnout continues this Friday at 9pm on ITV1.