MasterChef announces new finale date after it was axed over Prince Philip death

BBC One's MasterChef has announced the finale will be aired on Wednesday 14th April at 8pm, after it was postponed from its planned date of Friday 9th April due to the death of Prince Philip.

Over the last six weeks, judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace have put 40 of the UK’s most passionate and talented amateur cooks through their paces in the ultimate test of their culinary prowess as they search for one exceptional home cook worthy of being crowned MasterChef Champion 2021.

After an arduous six-week journey, the search for the country’s best amateur cook reaches its climax this week.

Finalists Alexina, Mike and Tom have to push themselves to the limit for one last time before judges John and Gregg choose the winner.

MasterChef judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace (BBC/Shine TV)

This is their final chance to pull out all the stops, show everything they’ve learned along the way, and in three hours demonstrate the kind of cook they have become.

On Wednesday's final, they must produce the best three dishes of their lives, push their culinary boundaries and produce jaw-droppingly impressive food for the judges.

It’s now or never for these exceptional amateur cooks as only one of them can lift the trophy and become the 17th MasterChef Champion.

Finalists Alexina, Mike and Tom are still waiting for one of them to be publicly crowned winner (Finalists Alexina, Mike and Tom are still waiting for one of them to be publicly crowned winner)

A statement from the BBC on Friday said: "With the sad news that HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, has died, there is now special coverage across all BBC networks to mark his life of extraordinary public service and planned scheduling has been suspended.”

And the official MasterChef account later posted: "Following today’s sad news about HRH Prince Philip, tonight’s scheduled #MasterChefUK Final has been postponed."

Many viewers were less than impressed, with one tweeting: "I see BBC2 has managed to change its schedule to put Gardeners World on tonight. Why can’t BBC1 rejig so we can see #Masterchef? It’s the final, FFS!"

The Duke of Edinburgh died aged 99 peacefully in his sleep with the Queen by his side at their home (Getty Images)

Another moaned: "I switched the tv on last night and was gutted about the master chef final. I like the royal fam, thought he did a lot for the monarchy/ country but it was on EVERY Chanel on terrestrial tv. Every Chanel. Reverted to sky and Netflix ".

"Gutted for @rhodeskitchen @alexinaanatole Tom #MasterChef, looked forward to final so much, you have all been robbed of a special moment. Total respect #PrincePhilip, but all BBC channels OTT," wrote a third.

"I’m still in bits that my Masterchef final was cancelled. Had it all planned out," added a fourth.

* MasterChef airs Wednesday 14th April at 8pm on BBC One