FOOD TVJayne Middlemiss: 'The final will be too stressful to watch!'

Last year’s Celebrity MasterChef winner Jayne Middlemiss explains why she's feeling the pressure this week

It’s the final week of Celebrity MasterChef and millions of us will be glued to the box, desperate to see which star wins the much-coveted title. But one person who won’t be watching is last year’s winner, Jayne Middlemiss, who says she can’t bear the tension!

"I honestly don’t think I’ll be able to tune into the final, it’ll be too stressful," says the Live From Studio Five presenter. "I might watch their final challenges, but I definitely can’t see them cook their last meal for John and Gregg as it takes me back to when I did it and I don’t want that pressure again!

"It’s such a high-pressured competition – really built to test your mettle – physically, emotionally and mentally. But it was the most amazing experience and I loved it. I just can’t believe it’s a whole year since I won. I keep thinking, 'Don’t let someone take my crown – let me hold the winning trophy a bit longer!'"

Jayne, who describes herself as a ‘scrappy’ cook before going on the show, wowed judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode with her final creation of scallops on apple puree with walnut sauce, pan fried veal with truffle potatoes and a veal jus, and lavender panacotta with crystallised violets.

"I must confess I haven’t made that meal since I won," she grins. "But I was really pleased with how much I learnt and how far I came. I rocked the final – it was restaurant standard and whilst I don’t cook like that every day, I can still pull it out the bag when I need to."

Jayne never dreamt of going all the way when she first walked through the famous MasterChef kitchen doors. "It seemed ridiculous to think I could win; I just wanted to stay in to learn as much as possible. But John, particularly, was so encouraging. He told me, "You’re really good, you just don’t believe in yourself.'"

She reckons cooking for the fearsome restaurant critics was her toughest challenge (‘that was hardcore’) and thought actress Wendi Peters would pip her to the winning post. So who’s going to be crowned the champion this year?

"It takes someone as talented as John to spot that. I couldn’t possibly call it," she says. "My advice for the remaining three contestants would be to enjoy every minute, learn as much as you can and keep practising, even when the cameras stop rolling. I might watch, but can’t promise – even the music makes me nervous!"