When is the 2021 MasterChef final on? Everything you need to know about the postponed last episode

If you’re a MasterChef fan you might have been gearing up for a big date in the diary last Friday. Because of the sad news that Prince Philip has passed away, the last episode of the popular cooking show was pulled from the air and was replaced with commemorative programmes instead.

With thousands of fans of the show up and down the country, the final of MasterChef has been a hot topic of conversation, with lots of people wondering when it will now be shown. The BBC have now annouced that the highly anticipated final will air on Wednesday 14 April at 8pm on BBC1 and will be available on iPlayer.

The initial update from the MasterChef UK Twitter account read: “Following today’s sad news about HRH Prince Philip, tonight’s scheduled #MasterChefUK Final has been postponed.” 

When it is shown, the final of this year’s MasterChef is expected to take a similar format to previous years, where the remaining contestants will be judged on a final three courses that they’ll present to judges John and Greg. The finalists this year are Mike Tomkins, Tom Rhodes and Alexina Anatole.

The move to suspend the regular TV schedule in response to the prince’s death wasn’t a universally popular one with Twitter users complaining that coverage of the event wasn’t needed on all channels. One Twitter user wrote: “‘Very disappointing, I have the greatest respect for the Royal family but really don’t understand why all programmes have to be cancelled?!”. Over on Instagram there was a similar sentiment, with one fan saying, "It's all completely OTT. Even all of the radio channels have gone mad too. Couldn't listen to it driving home tonight. Way too much!!!"

Think you might have what it takes to compete? Here’s how to apply for MasterChef