MasterChef UK fans ‘gutted’ as Jack is eliminated – as the 2023 finalists are REVEALED 

MasterChef UK fans were ‘gutted’ on Friday night when contestant Jack Wilkinson was knocked out of the nail-biting semi-final.

The journalist had joined his fellow contestants as they competed for a spot in the final, with the aspiring chefs tasked with creating a “theatrical and fantastic” dish that “pushes the boundaries.”

With the competition being extremely strong, judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace chose to send Jack home after he was disappointed with his sweet bone marrow and bread dish.

Jack’s elimination at the final, hurdle means Terri, Chariya, Anurag and Omar are the 2023 finalists and will meet again in a bid to become this year’s MasterChef champion.

After the result was announced, fans rushed to Twitter to share their reactions to Jack’s departure, with one commenting that they were “behind him” while others agreed it was the right decision.

‘Oh no! So disappointed that Jack didn’t make it to the final four, but this has got to be the most lovable couple ever. I wouldn’t mind if one of them won,” said one viewer.

While another shared, “Right decision – Jack fell just a little short of the other four in this round. He’s still a great cook.’

“Oh no Jack was my favourite, I’m sorry to see him leave” tweeted a third upset viewer,

‘Waah, Jack Right choice, but I’m so sorry he’s gone. He can always cook for me,” a fourth tweeted.

Another person simply said, “devastated” after hearing the sad result.

With another addition: ‘No surprise Jack left, he was not up to the job. So sad to see him go, I was cheering for him.’

The semi-finalists certainly showed their creativity during the episode, with Jack creating a bone marrow and bread dish consisting of crème brûlée and a chocolate crumble served with fizzy fruit.

However, his dish fell short as the judges felt his crème brûlée was undercooked and on the verge of curdling, while failing to understand the addition of the fruit to the meal.

Jack faced some very tough competition that night, which included Chariya creating a stunning take on a Japanese cherry blossom tree complete with cotton candy, while Omar kicked things up a notch with his quirky cauldron dish that came accompanied by his own spell.

After revealing they were finalists, the top four shared their experiences on the show and their joy of being in the finals ahead of their final challenge.

Anurag, a 41-year-old accountant originally from India, said, “I decided to enter MasterChef to express my passion for food and to learn from others. For me food is more than just ingredients, recipes or dishes, it is an expression of who I am and shows my creativity.’

He added: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to move on to the Finals! I see MasterChef as the perfect platform to express my love of cooking and what could be better than getting the chance to cook for the British Consul General in Turkey?!’

Master Coffee Roaster Chariya, 40, originally from Thailand, said: ‘I love watching MasterChef and decided to enter the competition so that I could showcase Northern Thai cuisine. I was nervous at first about cooking for John and Gregg but they were so supportive and they made me want to be the best!

“I’m absolutely delighted to reach the final, especially considering the incredibly high level of the other chefs, but I’m determined to stay focused and give my best.”

Omar, a 31-year-old toy developer who lives in Barnsley, said of his experience: ‘I’ve loved MasterChef for so many years and always secretly had a dream to join and I finally felt brave enough to apply.

“Joining MasterChef is all about the experience, the pressure and the opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s absolute pioneers and it has made all of those things happen beyond my wildest dreams. I’ve never felt so nervous as when cooking for John and Gregg!

“I have so much admiration for both of them and the legacy they’ve built with the show, so to be a part of that — even if it was just for 15 minutes (which thankfully it wasn’t) — was an honor. I will never take it for granted.’

Meanwhile, Assistant Management Accountant Terri, 30, who hails from Northern Ireland, said: ‘Cooking for John and Gregg is terrifying but amazing at the same time. They have the best job in the world! They are really supportive, funny and above all honest. In the kitchen I’m a perfectionist, so I was probably harder on myself than the judges ever were.’

She added, “When I find out I’m through to the finals, it feels like I’m having an out-of-body experience!” I’m not sure it will ever sink in that I’m a MasterChef finalist. As a fan of the show, I remember all the finalists over the years and it’s surreal to think I’m on that list of great chefs.”

The MasterChef UK final will be broadcast on Thursday 1 June at 8pm on BBC One.