MasterChef crowns Harry Maguire 2025 winner after Gregg Wallace ‘vanishes’ from series
'Where's Gregg?'
MasterChef has crowned a winner of its scandal-hit 21st series of the BBC show – but fans noticed Gregg Wallace seemingly ‘vanishing’ from the grand finale.
32-year-old fishmonger Harry Maguire won the amateur cooking show, beating out competition from copywriter Claire Syrenne, 47, and Sophie Sugrue, 26, who works in post-production, in a dramatic final cook-off.
After eight weeks of cooking challenges, Maguire got his hands on the ‘M-plated’ trophy, describing the moment as one of his ‘happiest days’.
However, during the grand finale of the BBC cooking show’s latest season, fans noticed that Gregg Wallace had seemingly ‘vanished’ from the set midway through filming.
The former MasterChef host, 60, was dismissed by the BBC following an investigation into allegations of behavioural misconduct – several of which were upheld.
While Wallace denied the allegations, he was still removed from the series – the last stretch of which was overseen by John Torode and new host and judge Anna Haugh.
Gregg Wallace ‘disappeared’ from the latest MasterChef episode (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)It was decided that the broadcast of the final edition of MasterChef hosted by both Wallace and Torode would go ahead as normal, though Wallace (and two contestants) had some moments removed during editing.
And it appears the finale came during the stretch when Torode hadn’t yet been removed from his position, following his dismissal by the BBC shortly afterwards.
@MarkSkelton72 noticed it straight away, ‘Was Gregg suspended by the time this was filmed?’ while @KingOf__Fools asked, ‘Did Gregg get the chop before the final?’
John Torode hosted the finale alongside Anna Haugh (Picture: BBC)Elsewhere, @RibroxLondon wondered, ‘Is Gregg not on this tonight because it was filmed after his little episode?’ as @SteveGarti simply asked: ‘Where’s Gregg?’
Speaking about his win, Maguire said: ‘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.’
It was a dramatic finale on Friday as three chefs battled it out (Picture: Shine TV/BBC/PA Wire) Maguire was a fishmonger before appearing on the show (Picture: Shine TV/BBC/PA Wire)In what will be his final episode on the show, John Torode said of victorious Maguire: ‘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.’
Meanwhile, Anna – who has been confirmed as one of the permanent MasterChef judges alongside Grace Dent – said of this year’s winner: ‘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.’
The finale marked John Torode’s last MasterChef episode (Picture: Shine TV/BBC)MasterChef viewers applauded the finale, with many pointing to Maguire’s win as clear evidence of why it was the right move from the BBC to broadcast the series, after a period of uncertainty over whether it would go ahead this summer.
Taking to X, RealGeoffBarton wrote: ‘Thought that was a terrific MasterChef final (and I’ve watched them all since the show started): precise, heartfelt cooking. Well done to all.’
NikolaDreams echoed: ‘Masterchef is all about the contestants, not the presenters. Tonight demonstrates why it is so important the series was broadcast and not cancelled.’
‘Congratulations Harry, fully deserved,’ wrote ValPigott. ‘Possibly the best winner of the last few years. Well done to Claire and Sophie too.’
