Stephenson: 'Marco is like daddy'

Actress Debra Stephenson has claimed that Marco Pierre White has "something of the daddy" about him.

The former Coronation Street star, 37, will compete against Jason Byrne and Nancy Dell'Olio on this week's edition of the ITV1 reality series Marco's Kitchen Burnout.

Speaking about the show's star and mentor, Stephenson claimed that she found the Hell's Kitchen chef to be "intense" rather than "intimidating".

"I like to take people as I find them and start with a clean slate. Rather than intimidating, I think he is just intense. I think there is a great warmth about him, something of the daddy about him. He commands respect, but at the same time, he would be there for you," she said.

"There is no point in going into a competition like this unless you are prepared to go along with the drama of it. Marco will only shout in order to help us. So if he does I am not going to take anything personally."

Speaking about her ambitions in the cookery competition, she added: "We'll see how it goes. It would be amazing to win. I've never won anything. Part of me really wants to do well and stay in for as long as possible to learn more."

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