'MasterChef' is back: BBC confirms return date

TV's favourite cooking contest is about to make its return for 2022 - the start date for this year's MasterChef has been announced.

The BBC One show's official account tweeted that the new series is set to begin in just two weeks' time on Wednesday, 23 March at 8pm.

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As usual, John Torode and Gregg Wallace will be back to host in their search for the UK's best amateur cook, who will win the life-changing title of MasterChef 2022 winner.

Last series saw 31-year-old Tom Rhodes crowned the champion after taking up cooking during lockdown and impressing the judges with his Asian fusion flavours.

Recently, MasterChef announced some big news as they shared that the programme and all of its spin-offs would be moving home from London to Birmingham.

Other shows in the stable that will move with the main series include Celebrity MasterChef, MasterChef: The Professionals and the recently announced Young MasterChef for BBC Three.

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All MasterChef series will be made at the brand new Digbeth Loc. Studios complex in the Digbeth area of Birmingham from 2024, a centre set up by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

It will be the first time in 20 years that the series has been made outside of London and the new deal will also see MasterChef returning up until 2028 at least.

Knight, whose hit gangland period drama Peaky Blinders is set in Birmingham, said: "I am genuinely thrilled that MasterChef is coming to Birmingham and honoured that Shine TV has chosen to locate such an iconic production at Digbeth Loc.

"We will work hard to ensure that this internationally renowned TV institution instantly feels at home in our creative environment, and we look forward to welcoming many more blue chip brands into our rapidly expanding media neighbourhood."

Watch: Joe Swash serves raw duck on Celebrity MasterChef