Comedian and presenter Iain Stirling has been named the champion of the Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Special, in an episode that served as the final appearance for long-standing judge John Torode. The festive cook-off, which aired on Monday, concluded with Torode's departure from the BBC show following an external investigation.
A Festive Finale and a Judge's Exit
The Christmas special featured a star-studded lineup competing for the coveted Golden Whisk. Iain Stirling was joined by podcast host GK Barry, Ted Lasso actor Kola Bokinni, and disability campaigner Nikki Fox. The episode was judged by John Torode alongside fellow critic Grace Dent.
This marked Torode's last filmed episode before the BBC confirmed in July that his contract would not be renewed. This decision came after an independent investigation, conducted by law firm Lewis Silkin, upheld an allegation that Torode had used "extremely offensive racist language" in the workplace back in 2018. Torode has stated he has "no recollection" of the incident.
The Ultimate Christmas Dinner Challenge
The celebrities first tackled a Secret Santa Mystery Box challenge before being asked to create their ideal Christmas feast. Iain Stirling drew inspiration from his childhood, where his family often replaced traditional turkey with a Chinese takeaway.
His winning menu consisted of:
- Cheesy cauliflower with crispy chicken thighs in Chinese seasoning.
- A dessert of peach and banana crumble with rum and raisin ice cream.
John Torode praised the cauliflower cheese as a dish he "loved" and called the chicken "delicious." Grace Dent also commended his crumble and ice cream. Upon winning, a delighted Stirling joked about quitting comedy for a cooking career.
The other contestants presented heartfelt dishes:
- Kola Bokinni cooked a Nigerian red stew with pounded yam and a puff puff dessert, honouring his late father.
- Nikki Fox prepared chicken with Yorkshire puddings, caramelised sprouts, and a trifle using her mother's recipe, adding crisps as a nod to her grandfather's tradition.
- GK Barry crafted a giant Yorkshire pudding arranged as a reindeer's face, followed by caramelised biscuit muffins.
Behind the Scenes: A Year of Change for MasterChef
John Torode's exit is part of a significant shake-up for the popular cooking show. Earlier in the year, co-presenter Gregg Wallace was also dropped from the programme following dozens of upheld complaints about inappropriate behaviour.
The racism complaint against Torode was revealed in a report investigating Wallace's conduct. The BBC stated it "will not tolerate racist language of any kind" and mandated action from the show's producers, Banijay UK.
Following these departures, chef Anna Haugh was announced in September as the new permanent judge, joining Grace Dent on the panel. The Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Special, therefore, stands as a poignant end of an era for the series, blending festive celebration with the culmination of a turbulent year behind the scenes.
