Five contestants from Croydon began their battle to be crowned the borough's ultimate party host on Come Dine With Me last night.

The competition was kick-started by Keith Preddie, 43, a childcare practitioner and Michael Jackson impersonator from Coulsdon.

He was joined for the evening by cat-mad Suzie Phillips, trainee solicitor Vanessa D'Souza, office administrator Sarah-Marie Palmer and self-confessed 'big kid' Robert Preston.

Mr Preddie of Clifton Road, cooked up a Jackson themed menu for his guests.

His meal started with the ultimate prawn cocktail and home made bread, with a haloumi and chilli salad prepared for vegetarians Suzie and Robert.

His main dish of Shamon Chicken, 'King Pred' style with boulangere potatoes, was a tribute to the late popstar and the dinner was served with quorn for the vegetarians.

For dessert was Dirty Diana, a chocolate sponge cake with cream, served with a banana delight.

He said: "My menu theme was based around Michael Jackson and I had to cook for vegetarians, which I had never done before. I had to get some information about what to cook because I did not have a clue."

The group will secretly score each host on how they have performed and the contestant with the highest score will walk away with a £1,000 cash prize.

Mr Preddie was awarded a respectable 22 out of 40 for the evening by his fellow diners, a score he said he was happy with.

Talking of the experience, Mr Preddie said: "It was really intense. I was worried about how I would come across, but it could have been worse.

"I know my "Shamon" can be quite annoying, but my friends know I always say it. By the end of the week even the other contestants were saying Shamon, so it can't have been that annoying."

He added: "I just wanted to do it for a bit of fun. It's not just about the food, it's about dining people.

"My weakness was the food I would agree, but I gave them a good time and put a smile on their face. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would do it again."

Tonight is Suzie's turn to cook, and you can see the episode on Channel 4 at 5.30pm.