A DJ pulled out all the stops when he took part in a reality television show which will start today.

The Comet: L-R: Andy Harvey, Penny Peklivanas, Tim Lawson, Andrea Nichols and Nicola O'Donnell. Photo taken by Jeff Bullock PhotographyL-R: Andy Harvey, Penny Peklivanas, Tim Lawson, Andrea Nichols and Nicola O'Donnell. Photo taken by Jeff Bullock Photography (Image: Archant)

Andy Harvey, also known as Mr H, from Great Ashby, Stevenage, took part in the 30th series of channel 4’s Come Dine With Me, which saw him compete with four other strangers for a £1,000 cash prize.

Speaking to the Comet about his experience, the 46-year-old, said: “It was a wild adventure one that I would never do again. We were filming 18-hour days for a 22 minute programme.”

Mr Harvey, who owns Mr H Productions, said researchers got in touch with his company asking him to take part in the show.

“Filming would be from 6am each day for five days and we were exhausted by the end of filming and the pressure was very intense,” said the father-of-one.

Speaking about the dish he made to try and secure the title of the best dinner party host, the Manchester Close resident, said: “For starters I made fresh yabbie crayfish which was local, and came from the River Lea and I served that with a spicy cocktail sauce. The main was a steak fillet with pomme frites presented like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, accompanied with vegetables. For dessert was a chocolate fondant.

“It was a fabulous menu and I would say that it was the best out of all of them.”

Speaking about his fellow contestants, Mr Harvey said: “We all got on really well, and apart from the speaking about each other for the show and about what we each thought about the food we all cooked, we didn’t really have any disputes.”

Mr Harvey said that one menu, which was Greek inspired and consisted of croissant and feta cheese, was “horrendous”.

Mr Harvey also said that another contestant, who cooked a Moroccan inspired dish failed to impress him.

The format of the show means that contestants must prepare and cook the three-course meal by themselves. As part of the show the host must also lay on entertainment.

“I had two of the best percussionists in the country, a saxophonist and I had laid on a hot tub with ultra violet lighting and a band playing Show Me Love. It was mental, being the last to record; they had not seen anything like it. I went all out and spent thousands to pull out all the stops.”

The final week of this series of Come Dine With Me starts on Monday next week and viewers will have the chance to see Andy host the last night on Friday.