Celebrity MasterChef viewers were up in arms over a ‘disgraceful’ elimination after a contestant made a huge blunder.
On tonight’s episode of the BBC show, This Morning’s Craig Doyle, Strictly star Vito Coppola, actor Rochenda Sandall, and Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey battled for their place in the final three.
They were tasked by judged John Torode and Gregg Wallace to deliver a dish inspired by someone special before progressing to Chef’s Table to cook under the guidance of legendary chef Adam Smith.
In tribute to his mum, Harry, 36, baked an apple and plum oat crumble with vanilla custard in tribute to his home, while Craig, 53, made a lemon tart with four meringues representing each of his children.
Craig, however, suffered a relatable kitchen nightmare when he mistook the salt for the sugar, turning half of his lemon curd bake into a savoury dish. He even admitted he had ‘made peace with going home’ and had booked an afternoon of golf.
But in a shock twist, John, 59, and Gregg, 59, decided to eliminate Harry from Celebrity MasterChef, a decision which angered viewers on social media.
On X @MJ_JJ061215 fumed: #CelebrityMasterchef I’m sorry….but that’s a bloody disgrace – so you can make a MASSIVE mistake and put salt over your food and not sugar but still get through. I feel so sorry for @HarryAA100m˜ – he should’ve gone through. I’m disgusted with this appalling decision.’
@jld_84 raged: ‘At this stage of the Masterchef competition, if you do such a silly thing as put salt on your dessert that should’ve been an elimination. Harry’s desserts were a bit mismatched but there was nothing wrong with them. He should’ve stayed. #celebritymasterchef.’
Echoing their sentiment, a bemused @tomant3000 asked: ‘How can you put salt on a desert instead of sugar and not be eliminated from a cooking competition??’
@amystandring also added: ‘WHAT ARE U TALKING ABOUT. HE PUT SALT ON THE LEMON TART. #CelebrityMasterChef.’
Despite Craig’s mishap, John and Gregg heaped praise on his tart, with John explaining while he ‘couldn’t ignore’ the salt the remaining half was perfectly baked.
The presenter then confessed the baking error ‘mirrored his life’ because he was a ‘clumsy’ person.
When it was announced Harry had been eliminated, Craig looked shocked and hugged the athlete, who accepted his defeat like a champ.
This year’s Celebrity MasterChef line-up featured Diane Carson from The Traitors, Love Island star Chloe Burrows, model and TV personality Christine McGuinness and Sugababes singer Mutya Buena.
They joined make-up artist and TV judge Dominic Skinner, BBC Radio 2 presenter OJ Borg, comedian Jamie MacDonald and The X Factor star Jake Quickenden.
Also in the mix were broadcaster Edith Bowman, Emma Thynn Marchioness of Bath, comedian Eshaan Akbar, radio presenter Snoochie Shy and The Football Factory actor Tamer Hassan.
Last year’s winner was Strictly star Wynne Evans and other past winners have included TV and radio presenter Lisa Snowdon, Olympian Greg Rutherford, former The Pussycat Dolls member Kimberly Wyatt and soap star John Partridge.
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