TWO contestants who appeared on the Salisbury edition of Channel 4’s Come Dine With Me have been invited to The National Television Awards on Wednesday (January 23).

The amateur cooking competition has been nominated in the best daytime programme category and Chris Hiller, 29, and Natasha Conti, 23, have been invited along as guests.

A clip from the Salisbury show, which was filmed in June and aired in September, is to be shown at the live ceremony at the O2 arena.

During their time on the show, Mr Hiller, a support worker, and Miss Conti, a lettings manager, competed against book dealer Jane Arnold, tarot card reader Anthony Brown-Hovelt and Sophie McConnell, farm manager at Cholderton Charlie’s Farm.

The contestants took it in turns to host dinner parties and Miss Conti, who held a summer fete themed evening at her home in East Gomeldon, was crowned the winner, walking away with £1,000.

Throughout the week the show focussed on self-confessed penny pincher Mr Hiller’s attempts to impress Miss Conti.

He spent less than £20 on food and drink for his dinner party on the fourth night and failed to woo his guests with peppers stuffed with baked beans, chicken with orange and marmalade, and watered down wine.

“Hopefully we’ll make it up onto the stage,” said Mr Hiller. “I’m looking forward to the free drink, food and after party.”

“I didn’t expect any backlash from being on the show but it has all been so positive. It has died down a bit now but I have had a few offers from people wanting me to come to dinner with them.”

Mr Hiller said he is hoping to meet This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby and chat show host Jeremy Kyle, whose shows have been nominated in the same category along with ITV game show The Chase.

Miss Conti said: “I am incredibly honoured to be invited to such an exclusive event and I’m really excited to see all the crew again. I am absolutely thrilled I get to go with Chris as we have stayed friends since the show.”

To vote for Come Dine With Me, visit nationaltvawards.com/vote.