BBC confirms date for MasterChef 2026 final after beloved show enters new era - and it’s soon

The show returned for its latest season in April.

Anna Haugh and Grace Dent stood next to each other, smiling ahead. Anna is wearing chef whites and is posing with her arms folded while Grace is wearing a floral red dress and is posed with her hands on her hips.

BBC/Shine TV

Published: Wednesday, 20 May 2026 at 5:28 pm

Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 weeks for £10, including the Christmas double issue

The BBC has confirmed when fans can expect the MasterChef 2026 final to air - and it's just weeks away.

Ad

The final, which will see one contestant claim the title as the 2026 champion, will air on Friday 5 June at 8pm on BBC One.

The show returned for its latest season in April, welcoming fans to a new era as fresh judges Grace Dent and Anna Haugh took over the reins following Gregg Wallace's and John Torode's exits.

Wallace and Torode were axed as presenters back in July 2025, with the BBC then confirming that it would air season 21 - the series filmed in 2024 which features both hosts - for the sake of the cooks who had taken part in the process.

Food critic Dent and Irish chef and restaurateur Haugh were then announced as the new hosts in September, with Dent - who has been a regular guest judge on MasterChef for the past decade - saying: "I'm over the moon to be coming back to the MasterChef kitchen and unearthing what culinary skills people have been cooking up behind closed doors."

Anna Haugh and Grace Dent stood next to each other, smiling ahead. Anna is holding a plate with a cheesecake on it as Grace leans forward with a fork.

Anna Haugh and Grace Dent on MasterChef. BBC/Shine TV

She continued: "It's a joy to be working with Anna, who brings all her incredible experience to the table. I am in for such a treat with this series, I can't wait to get started."

Haugh added: "I'm delighted to be back on MasterChef and judging alongside the wonderful Grace Dent, whose writing and wit I've admired for years.

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

"MasterChef has long inspired and resonated with cooks in home kitchens and of course in my industry."

She added: "I can't wait to get into the studio for what will be a great competition."

Read more:

MasterChef continues tonight at 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.

Ad

Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

RadioTimes.com senior trends writer Molly Moss. She is sitting outside wearing a black top, holding a white teacup with a smily face on it to her mouth

Molly MossTrends Writer

Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.

Ad

Ad

Get the Christmas double issue

Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.

Subscribe by 3 Dec

Loading...

Ad

Loading...