Fans were left in shock on Friday as Greg Wallace broke down in tears during an first episode of BBC’s MasterChef 18th series.
The 57-year-old became emotional after he told a tearful contestant she had made it through to the competitions next round.
Taking off his signatures glasses, the star wiped tears from his eyes as he gave the good news.
Chef Pookie, from Solihull who had impressed judges Greg and John Torode, 56, began to weep as John asked ‘Tears of Joy Pookie?’.
The wannabe chef began to wipe tears from her face saying: ‘Thank you ever so much. It means a lot’.
‘I didn’t realise that I can cook and serve food to you and you like it and that’s what made me happy.’
Tears: Fans were left in shock on Friday as Greg Wallace broke down in tears during an episode of BBC’s MasterCMAShef
Winner: The 57-year-old became emotional after he told a tearful contestant she had made it through to the competitions next round (Pictured contestant Pookie)
Greg in return couldn’t disguise his emotion, as he removed his glasses and wiped tears away with his sleeve.
His voice cracking he said: ‘Oh stop it. For crying out loud. You’ve got me going’.
Pookie, who has proven a hit with viewers, impressed the judges with the culinary abilities earlier in the show.
Overjoyed: Chef Pookie, from Solihull who had impressed judges Greg and John Torode, 56, began to weep as John asked ‘Tears of Joy Pookie?’
Wow: The wannabe chef began to wipe tears from her face saying: ‘Thank you ever so much. It means a lot’
With Greg gushing: ‘It’s gone beyond good food, it’s now show-offy chef food’.
Adding: ‘Good on you, this is a cookery competition.’
Viewers rushed to Twitter to congratulate Pookie on her success with one writing: great cooking tonight on Masterchef …Go Pookie’
A second agreed: ‘Pookie’s presentation is exquisite’.
And a third added: ‘Pookie is just adorable’.
Fans: Viewers rushed to twitter to congratulate Pookie on her succsess with one wriitng: great cooking tonight on Masterchef …Go Pookie’
Gorgeous: A second agreed: ‘Pookie’s presentation is exquisite’
Fab: And a third added: ‘Pookie is just adorable’
The judges returned for the shows 18th series, which will culminate in a final held at Gordon Ramsay’s Michelin-starred London restaurant.
Speaking to The Mirror, John, 56, praised Gordon, 55, as ‘probably the most famous chef in the world’.
He admitted: ‘I think he gets paid very handsomely in America. It’s on a commercial channel. He has massive billboards all over LA, he’s got a big house there.
Envious: John Torode and Gregg Wallace have admitted to being jealous of Gordon Ramsay, both of his culinary skills and of his wallet
‘He’s really, really famous. I think he’s very very fine’.
On whether viewers would see Gordon’s famously fiery temper on the new series, John said: ‘Gordon’s Gordon. He will do what he wants to do. We always work with great chef and we’ve already had access to their kitchens. So Gordon is one of those.
‘He’s formidable and exacting and that’s why he’s had three stars in Chelsea for over 20 years. For our guys to go to his kitchen to learn from that I think is wonderful.’
Celebrity: Speaking to The Mirror, John, 56, praised Gordon, 55, as ‘probably the most famous chef in the world’
The pair also praised the efforts of Brooklyn Beckham, and his recent ambition to become a chef, by doing cooking videos on social media.
Despite the 22-year-old having come under fire recently for his frequently-ridiculed cooking skills, Gregg, 57, said he should be ‘applauded’ rather than ‘sneered at’.
He said: ‘Cookery on social media is playing a very important role in food education.
‘It’s no longer in our schools, sadly, but anybody who’s interested now can just go online and see a range of cookery styles from all over the world, and that’s got to be applauded and shouldn’t be sneered at.’
John added: ‘Anything which is demystifying food and making things not scary is absolutely brilliant.’
Complimentary: The pair also praised the efforts of Brooklyn Beckham, and his recent ambition to become a chef, by doing cooking videos on social media
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