HYPNOTHERAPIST Richard O'Neill is set to mesmerise television viewers with his cooking skills when he appears on a hit BBC programme next month.

"Ready, Steady Cook" is to feature the culinary talents of the 38-year-old, of Tamworth Drive, Brandlesholme, Bury, after he got the chance to share ovens with celebrity chefs Ainsley Harriot and Ross Burden last week.

Richard, married to Louise and a father of two, explained how he got the chance to mix in with the famous.

"I saw an advertisement asking for people to audition for 'Ready, Steady, Cook'. My daughter Grace, who is 10, talked me into doing it. She was the one who instigated it all. At the audition I had to pretend I was on the programme. I didn't think they would be interested." Following a successful audition Richard was asked to appear on the show. When the cameras started to roll last week he said nerves did not get to him.

"I was on the third programme to be recorded so I had the chance to see others being filmed first so I wasn't nervous. Filming was a great laugh. Everyone was really friendly. Ainsley Harriot was a brilliant host.

"I am interested in keeping fit and healthy so I brought along healthy food for the show. I had tuna steak, a yam, onion, red pepper and a mango. I did bring along a Bury black pudding but in the end that was not used."

There was a moment when things could have come to a sticky end.

"I've never bought a yam before and I didn't realise that once you peel it, it exudes this sticky stuff. The chef couldn't pick it up!"

Richard's interest in cooking goes back several years as he once ran a cookery course for boys at Tottington youth club and he enjoys food shopping at Bury market.

The programme will be broadcast on November 1.