THE MasterChef Champion Of Champions 2025 winner was crowned on Monday night.
The crowning took place as sacked John Torode made his final appearance on-screen for the hit cookery programme.
It comes five months after he was sacked by the BBC over alleged inappropriate language he used making MasterChef.
John, 60, who denied using a racist slur, was dismissed alongside co-host Gregg Wallace.
But on Monday night (December 29), John was back on screens as Thomas Frake took the title of Champion of Champions 2025 in the MasterChef Festive Extravaganza.
John was seen front and centre for the final time on the hit show, with him hosting alongside Grace Dent.
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Grace and John were at the helm as previous MasterChef champions battled it out to become the cream of the crop.
Thomas, who claimed the MasterChef crown in 2020, outcooked 2013 trophy-holder Natalie Coleman, 2023’s champion Chariya Khattiyot and Brin Pirathapan, who triumphed in 2024.
During the judges’ deliberations over all their cooking that day, John gushed: “I need to be truthful, that was probably the best food I’ve ever eaten in the history of MasterChef. That was extraordinary.”
Winner Thomas Frake then said: “This feels amazing. I’m grateful more than anything.
“MasterChef is what got me onto this journey in the first place.
“To come along five years later and be validated that my food was worthy again of another trophy is incredibly special.
“The first trophy will stay at home, this trophy is going straight to my pub.”
John added: “Thomas’ love of great British food and what he likes to call pub grub, is so infectious that it’s only when you eat his food that you understand what sort of cook he’s become since he’s left the competition.”
And Grace went on to say: “Thomas Frake is a fascinating chef.
“He cooks crowd-pleasers absolutely beautifully with loads of finesse and that’s why Thomas is our champion of champions.”
Fans loved seeing John on their screens.
One person wrote on X: “Delighted to see John Torode present Materchef Champions of Champions this evening.”
A second added: “Getting rid of John was a big mistake by @MasterChefUK and @BBCOne ! Him and Grace are actually a really good pairing – they work brilliantly together!”
“I love John Torode,” said a third.
While a fourth said: “She [Grace] & John Torode are a great team.”
This comes after insiders told The Sun that John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen, which he hosts with wife Lisa Faulkner, 53, will likely be rested.
A source said: “John is facing a nervous wait about Weekend Kitchen but it’s not looking good.
“The commissioning team have still not made a decision. Budgets are being slashed and the show is expensive to make.
“It will be a major blow to John. He had a really tough time after being sacked from the BBC. He is pushing forward with Lisa and is working hard on a new YouTube cooking show which has been well-received.
“Naturally, he’s hoping his ITV show will get a redeeming nod but he’s prepared for the worst.”
Initially, ITV stood by John following his MasterChef sacking.
