Celebrity Masterchef winner Riyadh Khalaf explains why series was cut short after Gethin Jones dropped out in final

the increasing threat of the coronavirus pandemic and eventual lockdown forced the production to speed up.

He said: "The series was slightly shorter and it was a quicker elimination process near the end, but that was simply because - I think - we all knew that the show needed an end.

"Otherwise all of the hard work that everyone put into it would have been for nothing because there wouldn't have been a finale.

"So I think, to be safe, it was the right thing to do to kind of shift it, make it flexible and get that ending in."

TV presenter Gethin, 42, took to Twitter to reveal he had withdrawn after developing covid-19 symptoms.

He tweeted: "Thank you for all your lovely messages re @MasterChefUK . I had symptoms of Covid-19 the morning of the next stage.

"Absolutely GUTTED… but it was the easiest decision. Would never put anyone at risk. Enjoy the next hour - these guys can cook!!!"

Meanwhile Riyadh described feeling intimidated by judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode, but managed to win them over with his commitment to getting his cooking up to top standard.

He told The Sun Online: "They start as over lords that you want to please.

"They are so much warmer than people give them credit for. They are scary on screen.

"They can’t hide their warmth when you are in front of them and actually they want you to do well."