MasterChef has crowned former Nando's worker Tom Rhodes winner of the 2021 BBC series

MasterChef has crowned Tom Rhodes winner of the 2021 series after a tense showdown on the BBC One show.

Tom, 31, a former worker at Nando's shot to victory after cooking a five-course lunch for lockdown heroes and serving up a dish at renowned restaurant Le Gavroche.

Fans had a tense wait to see who would be crowned winner as the final was postponed following the death of Prince Philip. But the re-scheduled show saw the trio of finalists battle it out in the kitchen using the best induction pans to impress hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode with three signature dishes.

The Newcastle-based amateur chef saw off competition from fellow finalists Mike Tomkins and Alexina Anatole and it was his Japanese-infused starter, main and dessert which proved victorious, making him the long-running programme's 17th winner.

Speaking after his triumphant win, he told PA, "I entered last year because with lockdown it kind of really put into perspective and allowed me some time to think what I really wanted to do.

"Having been so interested in food for so many years and feeling ready to enter the competition, it felt like the right time, and now that I have won it I really can't wait to see what's next."

The latest series was produced under coronavirus restrictions, with many of the series' traditional assignments adjusted to allow for social distancing.

And when filming ended, Tom spoke of his future dreams. He confessed, "During the competition, I have realised my love for developing recipes and cooking for other people outside of my friends and family, so would love to do more of this after the show."

What did Gregg Wallace and John Torode say about MasterChef winner Tom Rhodes' dishes?

Gregg Wallace complimented MasterChef winner Tom Rhodes, for "a style bordering on minimalism" as he served a trio of oysters for the starter, including a beer-battered oyster with a Japanese sour plum mayonnaise.

Meanwhile what swung it for John Torode, was his main dish of reverse-seared ribeye steak topped with beetroot pickled in a Japanese seaweed and a wasabi leaf that John described as "modern" and "really very clever indeed".

And his dessert of a lemon tart topped with black olive meringue also received universal praise from the hosts.

Gregg praised, "What he's absolutely brilliant at is European-style of cookery, with Japanese flavourings."

After watching MasterChef winner Tom Rhodes be crowned the 17th champion of the show if you're a big fan here are nine things you never knew about MasterChef. 

And if the final has given you the hunger to have a go in the kitchen and dig out your best blender or best food processor, why not try some of John Torodes purple sprouting broccoli linguine or his duck with potatoes and how about his Rosti.