MasterChef viewers call out twist that saw former 'losers' given second chance

What did you miss?

MasterChef celebrated its 20th anniversary by inviting back failed contestants from past years.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace welcomed back five former MasterChef contestants for comeback week. Matthew, an IT Project co-ordinator, and Chris, a circus performer from Oxfordshire, were both quarter-finalists just one year previously in MasterChef 2023, and both said they had since gained experience in professional kitchens.

Some viewers were sceptical as to whether it was fair to allow these past contestants to compete in the next round alongside amateur cooks who had no previous experience of MasterChef. And others questioned why the show was bringing back five 'losers'.

What, how and why?

Comeback week saw the return of two previous semi-finalists. Farokh, a 38-year-old drama lecturer from London, who made it to the semi-finals of MasterChef in 2022. Meanwhile Lyndsay, a 43-year-old DJ from Hertfordshire, was a semi-finalist in 2017. Also returning were Matthew, 34, from Birmingham and Chris, 44, who were both eliminated in the quarter-finals in 2023.

They were joined in comeback week by Mary, 60, a retired company secretary from Coventry who left the 2018 competition in knock-out week.

Judges Torode and Wallace were impressed by all the comeback contestants technical ability. Torode told them: "We thank you very much for all hard work, and for your bravery. The ambition! The skill! It's just been an absolute joy."

But viewers were not impressed by comeback week, and questioned whether it was fair.

One wrote on social media platform X: "I’m the biggest #masterchef fan going but even I’m not sure about this. They had their chance, they left the competition which is a once in a lifetime chance usually. I know the standard isn’t great this year so is that why? Doesn’t seem fair to me though."

Another commented: "Not sure I like them bringing back past contestants from one year ago. #Masterchef."

Someone else observed: "They must be desperate inviting previous contestants back I personally don't agree with it if they didn't make it the 1st time so be it #Masterchef."

And one viewer questioned: "Not understanding why previous contestants #Masterchef from years ago are suddenly back in this year's competition....they don't seem to have any connection with the current competition/series. Can someone explain what's happening."

Other viewers questioned if the show had struggled to find enough contestants for this year's competition. One said: "I knew the standard this year wasn’t so great but didn’t realise it was bring back previous rejects not great. #Masterchef. " Another asked: "Did they run out of contestants this series? #masterchef."

One viewer exclaimed: "Has the country run out of "great amateur cooks?" #masterchef."

Others questioned: "Are they short of contestants this year?? Why else would they bring back former contestants!! #masterchef."

"What’s happening to #Masterchef Clearly run out of ideas not enough contenders so bringing back five losers! That’s just hopeless."

"Watching tonight's #MasterChef and wondering if they've brought back some previous contestants because this years entrants haven't been up to much."

What else happened on MasterChef?

MasterChef: The Professionals 2018 finalist Matthew Ryle returned to the show to help Torode and Wallace judge the comeback contestants and decide who should go through to the quarter-final. Matthew, Chris and Mary were all put through to the next round. Wallace told them: "You are again, MasterChef quarter-finalists."

While Farokh and Lyndsay were eliminated from the competition yet again. Lyndsay said: "It does feel bittersweet to go home." She explained this because she had so many more ideas to cook. And Farokh said: "I am who I am. I will never be a chef, but I will always be an experimental cook."

Throughout the latest series, viewers have continued to complain about what contestants consider basic ingredients and the standard of contestants after a number of kitchen disasters. In a previous episode one contestant accidentally sprinkled salt instead of sugar over his dessert, leaving viewers questioning the show's standards. Another round put viewers off their food after a gruesome moment in which a contestant severed the top of her finger.

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