Which celebrity has the best Sunday roast? Experts rank stars' takes on the British classic - and whose 'looks like a dog's dinner'

There is nothing more quintessentially British than tucking into a homemade roast on a rainy autumnal afternoon.Yet new research conducted by Lightspeed has suggested that the traditional plate is under threat – with Gen Z swapping trimmings like roasties, gravy and Yorkshire puds for hot sauce, kimchi and avocado.Recently, Victoria Beckham described how Sunday lunch in her home is a conventional affair, saying: 'Yorkshire puddings are a big crowd-pleaser, stuffing, lots of vegetables. No parsnips - it's one of the only foods my husband does not like and will not eat.'She added that the gravy 'has to be Bisto, extra thick'.However, the fashion designer raised eyebrows last weekend when she shared an image of a family gathering for roast dinner – where she had a lone piece of salmon on her plate.Stacey Solomon has also rankled traditionalists by adding Portobello mushrooms, while Paddy McGuinness sparked controversy with a measly portion of gravy on his trimmings.According to etiquette expert Julius F. Smith, 'putting all sorts of once unthinkable items' in a Sunday roast can reveal more about you than you might imagine.He told the Daily Mail: 'I believe that says a lot about us, whether we are traditional, modern, or simply determined to go against the norm.'Read on to discover which celebrities have crafted 'unappetising' Sunday roasts that 'looks like a dog's dinner' versus those on the more 'sophisticated' side...Victoria Beckham Victoria Beckham recently unveiled her somewhat unusual version of the British classic that comprised of what appeared to be merely a single chicken or salmon breast Yorkshire puddings are a big crowd-pleaser, stuffing, lots of vegetables. No parsnips - it's one of the only foods my husband does not like and will not eat,' Victoria explainedJulius: The family seem to be tucking into their Sunday lunch, and it does seem strange to see Victoria with one piece of fish and no vegetables while everyone else appears to have started without her. David looks rather pleased with himself, so I take it he did the cooking. It's a traditional Sunday lunch that is sophisticated. The Beckhams have put on a show, and it makes a lovely family picture.Laura Windsor, Queen of Etiquette: The Beckham lunch looks rather measly at the moment or at least Victoria’s plate does. She appears to have a piece of something that might be chicken, alongside a few peas. It looks rather frugal, although other people's plates seem a little fuller. Nutritionist Brenda Heather: Victoria's Sunday roast is an interesting one because salmon is actually a fantastic nutritional choice. It's rich in high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart health. The vegetables visible on the plates are another positive, providing fibre and important nutrients. The Bistro gravy might raise a few eyebrows, but convenience products can absolutely have a place in a balanced diet. I'd simply recommend keeping an eye on the sodium content. From what we can see, it's a lighter take on the traditional roast, but that doesn't necessarily make it less nutritious.Stacey Solomon Victoria's roast is not the only star to have received mixed reviews, with Stacey Solomon leaving fans outraged by adding Portobello mushroomsJulius: It is difficult to judge whether Stacey is offering a vegetarian Sunday lunch or whether these are simply the vegetables that will accompany the meat. If it is the latter, I am afraid mushrooms have no place on a roast platter. It's not sophisticated as rogue items have no place in a Sunday lunch.Laura: Stacey Solomon's photograph looks a little staged to me, fit for a magazine shoot and nothing else. Is she seeking a job as a food photographer, perhaps? And is that really a Sunday roast? There seem to be plenty of vegetables and a cup of tea, but where's the meat? Where are the delicious, juicy bits that make a roast dinner so scrumptious? Perhaps she and her family are vegetarians?As a photograph of food, it doesn't really do the job. There's nothing that makes your mouth water, nothing that tempts the palate or makes you want to pick up a knife and fork and go for it. Does it make me hungry? No, not at all.Brenda: Stacey deserves credit for incorporating mushrooms into her Sunday roast, even if that isn't everyone's idea of a traditional accompaniment! Mushrooms provide useful nutrients, including B vitamins, and can add flavour and texture without relying on lots of additional fat. The carrots and other vegetables are also a great starting point for a nutritious meal. Paddy McGuinness Paddy McGuinness previously sparked controversy with his measly portion of gravy on his trimmings. According to Laura, his roast 'looks a little too haphazard and jumbled together'Julius: On first inspection, you would have to say the roast looks very dry. He has certainly managed to put a lot of food on his plate, almost as though he were at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Ideally, put what you need on your plate to start and have another portion afterwards. If I am not mistaken, there is mash as well as roast potatoes, and I am not a fan of having both. I am also surprised at how sparingly the gravy has been applied: either he did not make enough, or he simply does not like it. It's not sophisticated, due to the sheer amount of food on the plate and the dry-looking meat.Laura: Aesthetically it leaves rather a lot to be desired. There's certainly more food on offer, but it all looks a little too haphazard and jumbled together. The meat appears rather dry – obviously not generous with the gravy (!), and the knife seems to have disappeared beneath the vegetables. There's little evidence of any thought given to the presentation.It may well be a hearty Sunday roast, but visually it looks more like a mountainous jumble of food you might see on someone’s plate at a buffet dinner. A roast dinner should look generous and inviting, with the meat taking centre stage and the vegetables arranged carefully around it. Here, it's simply one big Sunday roast jumble!Brenda: Paddy's roast might have caused a stir over the lack of gravy, but nutritionally, there's plenty to celebrate here! The plate includes a substantial portion of meat for protein, alongside Brussels sprouts and other vegetables that provide fibre, vitamins and minerals. The potatoes and Yorkshire puddings contribute carbohydrates, making this a filling and varied meal. There's certainly no nutritional requirement to cover everything in gravy, although a little extra wouldn't hurt!Megan McKenna Julius said: 'Where can I begin? Firstly, there is enough gravy to sink a battleship, and serving it in a Pyrex jug for a photo looks a little casual'Julius: Where can I begin? Firstly, there is enough gravy to sink a battleship, and serving it in a Pyrex jug for a photo looks a little casual.I could go on, but I will not, except to ask how on earth she is going to eat all that food on her plate. It does not look at all appetising.It's not sophisticated. Sadly, she has all the correct ingredients, but the plate looks like a dog’s dinner.Laura: Megan McKenna certainly isn't holding back. She's pouring gravy over what looks like a mountain of food, with peas and mashed potato piled high across a rather generous plate. You certainly can't accuse her of being stingy with the portions! I am imagining this is a communal plate for all to feast on.But elegant? Not particularly. There's something to be said for abundance, but when everything is piled on top of everything else, you can't savour the individual parts of the meal.Brenda: There's a generous selection of vegetables alongside what appears to be a good source of protein, while the roast potatoes provide carbohydrates for energy. I also love that she isn't afraid of adding gravy, as enjoying your food is an important part of a healthy relationship with eating. It's a hearty, satisfying meal with plenty of variety.Zara McDermott According to Laura Windsor, Zara's roast 'looks rather appealing'. She added: 'The food does look hearty and inviting, with the gravy adding that essential touch'Julius: Finally, we have someone who may have cooked what could truly be called a traditional Sunday roast. It is nice to see stuffing on the plate, and nicer still to see someone pouring gravy from a sauce boat. My only criticism is, once again, the broccoli.I would happily sit down to a plate of Zara’s home-cooked fare.So there we have it. Gravy in moderation, vegetables that belong, and a plate that looks as good as it tastes: that is all I ask of a Sunday roast. Perhaps the celebrities should pop round to mine for a lesson.Laura: Zara McDermott's Sunday roast looks rather appealing. She's pouring gravy over it, and there's a lovely Yorkshire pudding, which is always a welcome sight. What appear to be sausages take centre stage, alongside mashed potato, what might be cauliflower, and plenty of roast potatoes.I can't see any chicken, turkey or a traditional joint of meat, although, enlarging the photo, there seems to be a whisper of meat in the background, tucked behind the mashed potatoes. Nevertheless, the food does look hearty and inviting, with the gravy adding that essential touch. If it's all for her, that's quite a Sunday lunch! If it's for everyone to dig into, then the generous presentation makes rather more sense.Brenda: Zara's roast is another excellent example of a balanced Sunday dinner. The combination of meat, potatoes and green vegetables provides a good mix of protein, carbohydrates and essential nutrients. The broccoli is particularly welcome for its fibre and vitamin C content. There's also room for gravy, which can make the meal more enjoyable without significantly changing its overall nutritional value, provided the salt content isn't excessive.Ruth Langsford Ruth Langsford's roast is described by nutritionist Brenda Heather as 'proper comfort food'Julius: We seem to have gone to the other extreme here, as this plate is drowning in gravy. I am also not sure about the broccoli. It is not as bad as mushrooms but it is still not right, and overall you would have to say the plate does not look very presentable.This is not sophisticated, mainly due to poor presentation.Laura: There's a definite sense of nostalgia. As she mentioned, it's granny's recipe, granny's way of doing things… gravy granules and all. Does it take you back to the traditional, homely moment of a Sunday roast dinner as a child?There's gravy, there's cauliflower, but where are the Brussels sprouts? And the stuffing? These are the little details that can make a Sunday roast feel complete.It may take you back to a bygone era, but aesthetically it doesn't quite hit the mark.Brenda: Ruth's roast looks like proper comfort food, and I love that she's embracing a family recipe. There's a good mixture of meat, potatoes and colourful vegetables, including broccoli and carrots, which provide fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. The gravy and traditional accompaniments can contribute extra salt and fat depending on how they're prepared, but they're also part of what makes a roast enjoyable. Overall, it's a satisfying meal with a good nutritional foundation.Peter Andre Julius describes Peter Andre's Sunday roast as 'well off track' and 'not sophisticated'. He explained: 'There seems to be a river of gravy at the bottom, followed by a mountain of swede'Julius: I am not sure where to begin with this one. There seems to be a river of gravy at the bottom, followed by a mountain of swede, then a layer of green beans, and what appears to be a red pepper with a piece of meat on top. To round it all off, a Yorkshire pudding lurks in the background. I am not sure what Freud would make of this Sunday roast, but I am afraid we have gone well off track. It's not sophisticated.Laura: This isn't what I'd call a traditional Sunday roast. In fact, I'm struggling to identify what's on the plate. Are those peppers? Is that supposed to be mashed potato? And what exactly is sitting on top of the meat? There are some beans, but beyond that, it's largely left to the imagination. It looks more like gravy topped with a lot of different foods than the other way round.Then there's the rather unfortunate dirty napkin sitting right next to the meat on the right-hand side. These little things matter. When presenting food, it's not just about what's on the plate, but how it's presented. Here, not much thought has been given to the overall aesthetics.Brenda: Peter's roast is certainly a generous one, and there's a lot to like nutritionally. The meat provides protein, while the vegetables and potatoes contribute a range of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. My main consideration would be the balance between the larger portions of meat and the vegetables. Adding a little more greenery could improve the fibre content, but there's nothing wrong with enjoying a substantial Sunday lunch, particularly as an occasional family meal.Holly Willoughby Holly Willoughby's Sunday roast was ranked highly by the experts, with Laura noting that 'the overall presentation is far more appealing than the other Sunday roasts'Julius: Presentation-wise, this is by far the best. She is really pushing the boat out with her choice of roast meats, and my only criticism is the rack of lamb instead of a leg; I feel the rack is better saved for a midweek meal. Broccoli makes another appearance, but the other ingredients look delicious. My final point is that I am not sure how she is going to serve the meat from the platter. I suspect this was arranged for the camera, but it does make a wonderful photo.It's sophisticated, but only because it looks delicious and uses the traditional accompanying items.Laura: Now, this is more like it. A nice tablecloth, and food spaced out so you can see each piece of the offering. That rack of lamb looks particularly elegant, the roast potatoes, garnished with what looks like mint or fresh herbs, add a lovely finishing touch. It immediately gives the meal a sense of occasion.There also appears to be a chicken, with mashed potato served separately and, possibly, a jug of gravy alongside. I'm not entirely sure what's in the dish on the right, but the overall presentation is far more appealing than the other Sunday roasts. The rack of lamb and those garnished roast potatoes certainly whet the appetite! Now I’m hungry....Brenda: Holly's roast looks wonderfully traditional, with a good balance of meat, potatoes and vegetables. The meat provides protein, while the greens contribute fibre and important micronutrients. It's also encouraging to see a variety of foods rather than a plate dominated by just one ingredient. Depending on how everything is prepared, roasting can add extra fat, but that doesn't take away from the overall nutritional benefits of a varied meal like this.