MasterChef winner revealed as new champion breaks down in tears after scandal-hit series

FISHMONGER Harry Maguire has been crowned the winner of MasterChef 2025.

The 32-year-old champion became the 21^st amateur cook to rise to the top of TV’s biggest culinary competition.

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It follows the controversial decision for MasterChef to continue airing the series following Gregg Wallace’s axe.

He has been mostly edited out of the series after being formally sacked by the BBC after a nine-month investigation into claims of misconduct.

An emotional Harry reacted to his win, saying: “Champion isn’t something I’ve ever called myself before.

“I can start celebrating now! This is one of the happiest days.

“It’s been incredible. I really cherish the memories.

“You can’t put into words what we’ve had the opportunity to do, and to top it off with the trophy is everything I ever dreamed of.

“The whole experience has been surreal and completely exhilarating but I’ve loved every minute of it.

“The standard was so high that I had to bring my A-game every time. Even making it to the final was beyond my wildest dreams and MasterChef has redefined the way I approach cooking.”

He added: “I don’t know what’s coming next but as long as I’m cooking I know I’ll be happy doing what I love.

“It could be my own private dining company or I also like the idea of running a simple local restaurant, somewhere relaxed but memorable. I just want to be cooking every day!”

At the end of eight weeks of demanding MasterChef challenges, Harry’s culinary efforts culminated in an intense final cook-off against two runners-up, 47-year-old copywriter Claire Syrenne and Sophie Sugrue, 26, who works in post-production. 

In their last cook, strived to deliver the best three-course meal of their lives to show the very peak of their culinary skill, flair and grit in order to earn that MasterChef title. 

Naming his winning menu ‘Past, Present and Future’, Harry started with a modern take on a classic dish that’s been in his life from an early age – the prawn cocktail – served this time as a balatine of prawn and dill mousse wrapped in fresh prawn, topped with avocado cream, cucumber and salmon roe on a bed of lettuce and a prawn head marie rose oil.

Representing his present day as a fishmonger, Harry’s main was poached brill wrapped in courgette, topped with potato croissant and a sauce vierge, served with braised fennel and a burnt leek sauce.

Finally, Harry’s spiced apple idea was sparked by a creation he had seen in a French patisserie – setting a standard he aspires to for his future. His menu was finished with an apple and cinnamon jelly, encased in an apple and white chocolate mousse with a white chocolate cocoa butter mirror glaze, served on an almond shortbread biscuit.

Commenting on Harry’s achievements, MasterChef judge Anna Haugh said: “There are restaurants across the country trying to do food like that and not succeeding.

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“For an amateur cook, I’ve never seen anything like that. Harry today cooked food that no amateur should be able to do.

“That’s a magical gift, and Harry has it.”

Harry, who lives in London with his girlfriend of seven years, Katie, started cooking in his late teens, also inspired by his brother Dan, who runs his own catering company.

His real passion began during COVID, when he was able to experiment and elevate his techniques in the kitchen with Katie and took on cooking challenges with their then flatmates.

After a demanding five-year career in branding, Harry explained in tonight’s episode that he’s now sober after suffering from burnout.

He said: “I suffered some pretty harsh burnout mid last year, unfortunately.

“In short, I was burning the candle at both ends and drinking too much. I had some fantastic people around me, and I’ve been in recovery ever since.

“It wouldn’t be an understatement to say that I wouldn’t be where I am today without Katie. She’s been my absolute rock through thick and thin.”

After quitting his job, Harry knew he wanted to work in food, and since changing career to work in a fishmonger’s, reignited that passion: “I rediscovered my love for home cooking.

“This life change and career as a fishmonger has brought me closer to food in my life. I’m genuinely happy when I wake up now I go to work.

“I wanted to prove to myself that I’m a talented cook. I’ve been told for years by my friends and family that I should apply. Becoming a fishmonger, I felt it was the perfect time to test my skills in the kitchen.”

Applications for MasterChef 2026 are now open.

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