I was on MasterChef - the way the BBC judges actually taste the food is nothing like what you see on the show

A MasterChef finalist has revealed that the way the judges actually taste your food is nothing like what you see on screens.

Project manager Jack Layer finished as one of the runners-up in the 2016 series alongside London property surveyor Billy Wright, with both of them being beat to the win by mother-of-four Jane Devonshire.

The nail-biting final saw the hopeful chef cook up a bubble and squeak gnocchi with homemade brown sauce.

Although it wasn't enough to take home the trophy, Jack later revealed a behind-the-scenes secret in an interview with Stylist.

When asked how the food stays warm until judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace get the chance to try it, he admitted that they usually don't wait that long.

He explained: 'It's not piping hot. But John and Gregg are always wandering around when they're not on camera, trying little bits.

'They get a pretty good idea about the dish in advance, probably more so than when they taste it all together.'

Fellow contestant, semi finalist Louisa Ellis, who made her way into the final six of MasterChef: The Professionals, also revealed to Birmingham Live that the food does go cold.

In a 2017 interview, she quipped: 'The food stays there for a bit after you've finished so they can get good shots of it.

'So it can be cold by the time the judges get to it - especially if you're last to be judged - but they take that into consideration.'

It comes just after Celebrity MasterChef revealed a new winner for the 2024 series, following its highly-anticipated grand final.

Strictly Come Dancing professional Vito Coppola, 31, fought off stiff competition from presenter Craig Doyle, 53, and actress Rochenda Sandall, 35, to emerge victorious in the nail-biting conclusion.

Vito impressed judges John and Gregg with his Italian-inspired menu, with his special dessert being just like the one his beloved mother and Nonna used to make.

Speaking after his win, the astounded Italian dancer exclaimed: 'I cannot believe it! Look [the trophy] it's so beautiful.

'People think that food is just food, but no, I keep saying food is life. It's the first love of my life, food, and I cannot just wait to share all of this with my family.'

Immediately after his win, Vito called his delighted Nonno (grandfather) to tell him the amazing news, saying in Italian: 'Nonno, I won! I won with your ingredients. I came first! I love you.'

Fans of the show were left feeling emotional at Vito's 'well deserved win' as they shared their thoughts on X.

Viewers wrote: '*adds 'Vito won MasterChef' to my cry list*'; 'Not me crying when Vito won Celebrity MasterChef'; 'Get in Vito! Well deserved!'; 'Can't believe I'm sat in bed crying at MasterChef';

'To the nicest most humble dancing man who can cook beautiful food Congratulations on winning MasterChef'; 'Vito best win MasterChef he deserves the world.'

John Torode said of Vito: 'Vito came into this competition with a purpose he wanted to show us his life on a plate. What he's grown up with, the food he loves and why he loves it, and what he's done is made us love it too. That's what good food is all about.'

While Gregg Wallace added: 'He's in love with creativity. He is something quite special.'