The 21st amateur cook to take home the MasterChef crown has been announced for 2025 after a tense final.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace will no longer present MasterChef but the winner for 2025 has been announced(Image: PA)
Following a nail-biting finale and series, the champion of BBC’s MasterChef was announced this evening. Fishmonger Harry Maguire emerged as the 21st amateur chef to claim victory on the cooking programme.
The 32-year-old, Harry, who grew up in Edinburgh but now lives in London, triumphed over fellow finalists Claire Syrenne, 47, and Sophie Sugrue, 26, in a dramatic final showdown.
The concluding episode featured departed judge John Torode, recorded prior to his exit, whilst Gregg Wallace had already vanished from earlier programmes this week.
Tonight, Friday, September 26, saw him substituted by Irish chef Anna Haugh, who will present upcoming series alongside Grace Dent, reports the Mirror.
Marking his triumph, Harry declared: “Champion isn’t something I’ve ever called myself before. I can start celebrating now! This is one of the happiest days. It’s been incredible. I really cherish the memories. You can’t put into words what we’ve had the opportunity to do, and to top it off with the trophy is everything I ever dreamed of.”
Fishmonger Harry Maguire became the the 21st amateur cook to take home the crown on the culinary show(Image: BBC)
During the final week, Harry took the judging panel on a revelatory journey to Athens, immersing himself in Greece’s vibrant culinary heritage. And tonight , he surpassed expectations with his ‘Past, Present and Future’ menu.
Showcasing his current role as a fishmonger, Harry’s centrepiece featured poached brill encased in courgette, crowned with potato croissant and sauce vierge, accompanied by braised fennel and burnt leek sauce.
His menu concluded with an apple and cinnamon jelly, wrapped in an apple and white chocolate mousse featuring a white chocolate cocoa butter mirror glaze, presented on an almond shortbread biscuit.
Judge John voiced his praise for Harry and his culinary creations at the episode’s conclusion, asserting: “Harry stepped up today – the determination, the skill, the style, three courses of absolute magic.
“Throughout the competition, Harry’s been determined. He has strived for perfection and his food will stay with me for a very, very long time.”
Harry impressed judges as he embarked on an eye-opening trip to Athens(Image: BBC)
Anna Haugh, who ‘quietly took over’ from dismissed presenter Gregg Wallace for the series finale, remarked: “There are restaurants across the country trying to do food like that and not succeeding.
“For an amateur cook, I’ve never seen anything like that. Harry today cooked food that no amateur should be able to do. That’s a magical gift, and Harry has it.”
Following Gregg Wallace and John Torode’s removal from the programme, it was revealed that Anna Haugh and Grace Dent would be taking over from the pair for upcoming series.
Though Gregg and John both began this year’s series as a team, Gregg, who was sacked after an investigation into misconduct allegations confirmed 40 complaints against him, ‘quietly vanished’ from the BBC programme during this week’s episodes. The programme made no reference to his exit, with John taking the helm solo.
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Earlier this year, Torode was also let go from the show following allegations of using racist language, which came to light during an investigation into his former co-star.
John claimed he had no recollection of making such a remark and vehemently denies it.
John confirmed earlier that he had filmed Celebrity MasterChef and two Christmas specials alongside Grace Dent, marking his final appearances.