Celebrity MasterChef: The Final, Friday, BBC1

Posted by Liberty Jones

Thank God they didn't drag Celebrity MasterChef out any longer, because if things had got any tougher at this stage, the contestants would've been boiling their own genitals into a nutritious broth. As it was, all they had to do for their final challenge was cook three restaurant-quality courses in two hours… a breeze, compared to what they'd faced earlier in the week. 

Former athlete Iwan Thomas – a man who'd barely unsheathed a Peperami before the competition began – was the first to present his dishes. His starter of Thai prawn soup was praised to the heavens by judge John Torode. "For me, this is what good Asian food is all about… it's a joy," the Aussie chef said in between slurps. He also loved Iwan's pudding – a classic Eton mess, describing it as "beautiful". Fellow judge Gregg Wallace was obviously in agreement as he lifted a spoonful the size of his considerably sized head.

Next up was Jayne Middlemiss who, we were pleased to see, had gone easy on the blusher for a change. The judges' shouting reached new levels of decibel hysteria as they swooned over the former TOTP presenter's lavender panacotta with crystallised violets. "It fills your mouth with flavour. It's very, very good!" Gregg cried. "The texture is perfect!" John swooned. "It's absolutely beautiful!"

Ex-Corrie star Wendi Peters – who'd been a strong contender right from the beginning – surpassed herself with all three courses. John described her veal sauce as "stunning", while Gregg was in raptures over her chocolate bread and butter pudding, declaring: "It's big, but I'd happily scoff the lot." Hmmm… tell us something we don't know.

With the standard so high, the judges had plenty of deliberating to do. Meanwhile, the celebrities – looking mentally and physically drained – sat in the green room and talked about how much they wanted it. And they all wanted it an awful lot.

We were stunned when Jayne was pronounced the winner – and judging by her reaction, so was she. "Am I dreaming this?" the Geordie lass asked as she cradled the coveted trophy. At the end of it all, we were left with a rather bitter taste in our mouths. Surely Wendi – or for that matter Iwan, who showed so much improvement over the course of the show – would have been a worthier champ. What do you think?

Picture: BBC

SEE ALSO:
Latest soap gossip >>
Big Brother body language special >>

Comments

[suan]

Returned from holiday, simply couldnt believe Jayne had won. Saw her performance on this morning and it was cringeingly awful. What are the judges thinking off. Feel sorry for Wendy and Iwan who both deserved to win. JUDGES need the addition of reasoned woman judge methinks.

[RW]

What a crock...
seriously disappointing result. Wholeheartedly agree with those that think Iwan should have won. His transformation was amazing.
I had no strong feelings about Jayne until she started to throw hissy fits and then I thought she was a disgrace and totally embarrassed herself.
As for the 'original' dishes she served at the end, well, I thought the apple and scallops looked awfully familiar the disgusting little cheat. If she had won fair and square that would be another story but as far as I'm concerned the opinion was not just. I do not think they can justify that decision; I sure would like them to come back and tell us why... to avoid any drama and to get into her pants would be my bet.

[gutted]

Disgraceful, but obvious, last year was the same you knew who would win as the judges mooned over the young girl. Time for a female judge I think.
Jayne was the same on love island "love me please" then waterworks for any criticism or pressure. For someone who shouted what's focacia? while the real chef cooked her pasta - that was presented to michelin chefs as her own work - to be awarded masterchef is a joke. We won't be watching again.
Jayne was on "this morning" yesterday and struggled to make scallops - says it all really.

[Penny]

No way should Jayne have won. Most of the previous rounds she had to be helped with tasks, and most of all could not cope in a professional kitchen. The real winners were Ewan and Wendi.

[kathy]

I am so pleased that my husband and I are not the only ones to think that the result was unfair.Jayne did not deserve to win. She was unable to carry out many of the tasks set her. Anyone can cook one good meal that they have had time to practice. The other Two managed to produce under pressure and even had to help Jayne on several occassions. They might as well have just judged the whole thing on the last meal. Wendi was the most consistant and received little or no help from anyone. Iwan improved as he went along and managed to produce under pressure.It is supposed to be about who is the best chef, not who is the most improved. They kept saying that Wendi was the best technical chef and she proved that time and time again.

Will not be watching Masterchef again when the judges are so biased.

[Barbiegirluk]

It's an absolute disgrace...Jayne couldn't fillet the fish in film crew episode, needed Wendi or Iwan's help on numerous occasions be it for prepping, or cooking...for goodness's sake she asked 'does anyone know how cooker works?' The starter course she served on the final day was the one she made at the restaurant earlier scallops and apple batons...where's the creativity? I agree public should vote...I had high respect for Greg and John till now....Definitely Wendi is the clear winner for me.

[Carolyn]

What is the point of doing the challanges if they ultimately count for nothing. Iwan and Wendi were able to cope under pressure when Jayne just broke down and relied on the other 2 to pull her through. I don't think I'll bother watch the next series.

[Janetta]

Like most others I suspected Jayne would win! Poor, poor judging and I think Greg & John fell hook, line & sinker for the 'damsel in distress' dramas from Jayne. As soon as the crying started I told friends and family she would win. Apalling to think the message being passed on to budding chefs that it's OK to miss out a whole tray of appetisers; walk out of preparing your meal and throw hissies as long as you deliver a good meal. She wasn't a team player and was rescued more than once by Wendi & Iwan - to the detrement of their own dishes! Poor show! Wendi should definitely have won.

[Irene]

I cannot believe Jayne won - well yes I can - as soon as she turned into a drama queen, I turned to my family and said Jaynes won.

In my family it was a unanimous decision that Iwan or Wendi should have won. No point in watching another show!!

WELL DONE IWAN and WENDI

[janette]

I don't think jayne should have won she was carried through by others in more than one programme, and could not cope under pressure where as wendy and iwan coped with everything i think the public should vote. The fact iwan had never cooked any of his final meal he was by far the more talented and better cook . Not a lot between him and Wendy. No way should someone who cannot cope under pressure have walked away with the title

[Lauren]

I don't think Jayne should of won at all. She went through each and every stage with crying and whimpering. She proved throughout the programme that she can't handle the pressure. Wendi and Iwan were both equally worthy winners, and when the result was announced, I was very shocked and disappointed. It seems to me that they were only picking a winner over the last meal they made, and not the progress they made over the last few weeks. How is that fair? She was so useless in professional kitchens, and I can gather that there will be plenty of people out there that will agree with me, and others.

[Angela]

She did not deserve to win but we all know why she did John and Greg's favourite all she did was have meltdowns and cry all the way through the competition, Iwan and Wendi were consistent and I think turned out way better food than her, I agree with Julia maybe the public should vote

[Tim Fisher]

Having watched the whole series and read all the commments I would like to say that as an award winning professional chef with more than 20 years experience I do think Jayne deserved to win, yes she had a history of getting a bit weepy and occasionally the pressure did get to her but like all the finalist that's because she cared. The whole competition was about becoming a champion and peaking at the final to show what they had learnt.
Wendi cooked well throughout but considering she was a pudding specialist she did not serve her best dessert when it counted, she also did not serve enough sauce with her main course two mistakes that cost her dearly in the final result.
Iwan should probably not have been in the final based on some of what he did but by God did he improve and deserved a shot at it, if the competition had been a week longer he probably deserved to win but when it comes down to it Jayne's weaknesses were presentation and keeping a cool head and on when they cooked the last meal she absolutely nailed it and proved that she could deliver it when it mattered so yes I can see why people are complaining but like a truly outstanding dessert she cooked so well at the end that it was the lasting memory for the judges the standard was very good and on the day when it counted she impressed. Well done all the finalists but in the end the best cook won.

[Marian]

I knew she'd win but would have preferred it to be either Iwan or Wendy. They were by far the more professional. Let's face it in most of the tasks if whinging Jayne hadn't had their help she would really of messed up. Didn't she cry her way to winning the sympathy vote in another reality show a while ago?

[Jules]

There was I thinking 'how on earth are they going to choose between Wendy and Iwan' I like Jane but no way should she have won - might just as well have had that one last programme and not put them through the previous rounds because they didn't have any bearing on the result.

[pauly]

For me Jayne was most definitely the winner,the whole purpose of the show was to get them to their last three dishes where it would decided,not only the taste but the presentation would be delivered and Jaynes stood out above the others and i will watch masterchef again

[jenny harris]

I couldnt believe Jayne won, i agree her presentation for the final three courses was good but overall i think ewan should have won as he showed remarkable improvement throughout, he didnt falter on the tasks, jayne did. If not Ewan, Wendy, but never Jayne.

[Lorraine]

Thought Jayne might win as soon as I saw the histrionics - she's a real drama queen and John and Gregg love that!Wendi should have won - she was more consistent.

[roz]

not a fair result,what was the point of all those hours of watching only to watch jayne who in my eyes did nothing but moan ,actualy win ;either wendi or iwan should have won,very disapointed

[suzanne phillips]

My husband and I watched all shows and we agree with most of the comments made, Iwan should have won as he progressed from start to the beginning and created beautiful food. on the day Jayne had her burst of tears if it was not for Iwan, she would not have finished her task so again Iwan came out on tops. We think each task should be marked out of ten and the points added at the end. Obviously the one with the most points is the overall winner. I am afraid the Judges were bowled over by a woman and did not award the correct contestant.

[sue]

Gutted, Iwan was by far the most improved throughout and Jayne ran off crying during one of the tasks as she could not cope with the pressure, Wendi was fabulous and should have come second with Iwan the winner - no justice is there ???

[Jodes]

So glad this has come up!!! My husband nearly ran away from me as the results came up as all the way through this week I'd said I wouldn't mind who won so long as it was between Iwan and Wendy because neither of them had turned on the princess taps at a tough moment oh boo hoo! Glad she's off my screen, WELL DONE WENDY AND IWAN, true winners!

[jo]

I agree with most which has been said the final presentation was jayne's so why bother with all the rounds which she failed miserably, what she did with that beautiful piece of Salmon was a travesty. Well done Ewin, if progress was awarded you win hands down perhaps they should all have a trophy

[madkat]

Iwan was the most improved of all of them. Jayne only cooked really well at the end where as Iwan just got better and better all the time!!
He should have won and I was so shocked that Jayne won instead.....

[Liz Brearley]

Absolute disgrace. Jayne is an unworthy winner. Wendi should have won with Iwan second. Goodness me Jayne had not a clue how to skin a fish, Wendi had to do it for her. She had to be bailed out time and time again. Wendi was the better cook throughout the competition. Obviously it pays to shed a few tears and get the judges sympathy vote!!!!

[John]

Jayne's performance on the final was undoubtedly stunning - the point of the previous rounds was to prepare them for that final, to get an understanding of their abilities and failings.

Yeah, I agree that on some of the challenges Iwan performed better....

However, producing what she did on the final day, food that I would happily pay for and eat, then Jayne deservedly won!!

Another good showing by Masterchef!!! I can't wait till the next series.

[RM]

ABSOLUTE JOKE....Iwan > Clear winner. Go on my son.

[Dunc]

How can we judge when we couldn't taste or smell the food? I've always found these judges' decisions a little bit suspect and assumed it was because they were in a better position to judge the food - actually being there at the time. It was a cooking competition not a "who's my favourite celebrity" competition.

[Don]

soo upset at the result. I watched every episode and Iwan had traveled the furthest distance. Surely its a marathon and not a sprint.Why judge the competition on the last half hour of delivery.

[Glen]

I agree with all the comments above and how interesting that not one of them is in support of the decision. Surely, being a master chef includes being able to cope under the pressure that comes with the job, not crying and getting everyone else to do your job for you. On more than one occasion Jayne showed that she did not possess this skill or for that matter the ability to do a relatively simple task, such as fillet salmon, without Wendy's help! I favoured Wendy but as said above would have been equally happy with Iwan being crowned winner as the most improved chef. I think loosing was all the harder for both Wendy and Iwan as it was to Jayne. Let's hope it was a genuine error and we soon see the Wendy and Iwan Show as compensation for this travesty.

[Stewart]

Wendi or Iwan for me, and so I am sure,it would have been, with a viewers vote.
John and Gregg are the losers from this, shame on you gents.
This outcome, in favour of a BBC employee made by other BBC employees yet again, brings the integrety of the Company, into question.
Perhaps Jane should consider a job,advertisng Kleenex.

[jason]

Iwan was by far the most improved competitor, and in the last week of shows cooked the most impressive dishes, what is the point of the final lasting 3 days when the result is based on the last meal they cook? it makes everything they went through this week a complete waste of time, Iwan should have won fair and square.

[Steve Jacobs]

Typical of the BBC, always another agenda, totally unfair, Wendi was the clear winner.....wlll never watch this prgramme again....

[Becka]

I agree with other comments. Jayne was a moaner and should not have won the show. Wendi or Iwan winning I could have seen the reason why they won, disappointed with the decision.

[Disgusted]

It was an absolute disgrace. I can't believe that John & Greg lowered themselves to this standard....i noticed that John did not comment much on "Saturday Kitchen" this morning!!
They really are not the sort to be suckered into the tears & whining....therefore it only leaves the BBC to blame!!

[wardog]

Whats done is done, as they say. However wrong decision guys, it should have been Wendi not Jayne.

[Wendy]

Iwan was definitely the winner in my eyes, based on his consistent improvement throughout the contest, surely that is what the contest is all about. Granted Jayne cooked up a storm for the last round but Iwan was amazing in Morocco so he was definitely first for me.

[matt]

absolute discrace....it was either between Wendi or Iwan, as others have commented. Behind the scenes politics have been involved again. As Jane is the only TV presenter amongst them (and has a contract with the BBC) I bet she will now have her own 'cooking' show shortly I did enjoy the show but will NEVER be watching it again.

[Julia]

Terrible result! Based on the other tasks she was clearly 3rd, with the other contestants having had to bail her out or cover for her at times. She may have turned out a good meal in the final task ( did you notice that the starter was a copy of the restaurant dish she had prepared in an earlier round?)but based on the rest of the competition either Wendi or Iwan deserved to win. Personally I would have given it to Iwan the improvement that chap made was incredible. Maybe future finals should be left to a public vote. Even though we can't taste the food, I think we have a better idea of who deserves the crown!

[David and Marg]

It was a travesty, without a doubt Jane was the worst, lost it under pressure, total BBC bias for 'attractive YOUNG' women, WENDI SHOULD HAVE WON HANDS DOWN

[tina R]

I think Iwan should have won as he had progressed the most from a terrible 1st round which showed just how good a learner he was.
Wendy had had many years of family cooking experience behind her to her advantage.
As said previously Jane could not stand the pressure in some of the kitchens.

[Keith Sawyer]

Wendi for me with Iwan a very close second, To me it was fixed and I shall not watch it again

[John.]

The result was laughable. Look back through the contest and see how Jayne kept losing the plot.She moaned,broke down crying,walked out of the Proffesional Kitchen and was never consistant.The judges fawned over her and was given the title purely on her last dish. Iwan and Wendi showed more talent and the ability to learn and either of them should have been the worthy winner. What were the judges thinking of to make such an obvious wrong choice?.

[Annie]

Unbelievable - Wendi should have won, with Iwan a very close second. Jayne was hopeless all the way through, not in the same league as the other two. Gregg really liked Jayne though!

[Tommy sausage]

obviously won the competition before she walked in the kitchen. Next thing.... its the Jane middlemass show....
Its all behind the scenes politics. Who will give us the most mileage when they win. All that stuff.
I'll stop watching. Simple as that.

[Marc-Frederic]

If the title was based on the last cook off, then clearly Jayne won it hands down. But as it has already been said what is the point of all the rounds if they don't count, for if they did count then Jayne would of been the runner up. My opinion is Iwan never had a chance of winning, however he was the most improved and given time with training he could become a force to be reckoned with. One thing that came through to me was that Gregg had a shine for Jayne, did this cloud his judgement?

[John]

Jayne should have come last. But PLEASE get rid of the terrible John and Gregg. Yuk lol

[Jeremy]

Wendi, should have won.

[Dawn]

Unbelievable,whatever were they thinkng of when clearly Wendy and ewan were better chefs in everyway, very disappointing. Dawn.

[sandra]

jayne was never deserving of 1st place , her constant moaning and crying ! if its based on the last meal , why do the other tasks . bad decision guys

[kermit]

Totally agree with Janine. Wendy was a strong leader but I would have accepted Iwan as one who improved most but Jayne was carried by the others for the last 3 shows.

[Janine]

I was sooooo cross that Jayne won. She clearly lay in 3rd place following the other challenges in the final with all that crying and giving up that I think it was unfair that the two clear winners, in my opinion, Iwan and Wendi didn't walk away with the trophy. I'm disappointed in you John and Greg!!!