The Celebrity Masterchef final has been delayed due to the Queen’s funeral.
The BBC One cooking show was set to air its three final episodes this week, but TV schedules changed at the last minute.
This was to make way for special programmes dedicated to the UK’s longest reigning monarch, who passed away on September 8.
Her funeral will be held on Monday September 19.
The One Show paid tribute to the Queen during a special episode, Our Queen Remembered, which aired at 9pm last night – the same slot Celebrity Masterchef was supposed to have.
Viewers wanting to see which celebrities which have made it through to the finals will have to tune in from Thursday night instead.
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As Tuesday’s episode could not be shown, two back-to-back episodes of Celebrity Masterchef will be broadcast on BBC One on September 15 from 8.30pm.
This will be followed by the first two finals episodes on Friday September 16 at 9pm and Tuesday September 20 at 8pm.
This year’s winner will be crowned during the grand final episode, which will now air on Thursday September 22 at 8.30pm, the BBC have confirmed.
It’s not the first time Masterchef has been affected by a royal death – as in 2021 the final of the main series had to be postponed as it fell on the same day the Queen’s husband Prince Philip passed away on April 9.
Viewers saw Tom Rhodes – who had previously worked at Nando’s - crowned the winner the following week.
The last celebrity to be sent home was Birds of a Feather Lesley Joseph in the first semi-finals challenge last Tuesday.
But Celebrity Masterchef fans will have to wait to see who makes it through in the remaining finals episodes.
The remaining celebrities battling it out for the top spot are All Saints singer Melanie Blatt, McFly’s Danny Jones, Love Island ’s Faye Winter, former footballer Jimmy Bullard, TV presenter Lisa Snowdon and Call The Midwife star Cliff Parisi.
Drag star Kitty Scott-Claus is also still in with a chance of winning after scrapping through when Lesley Joseph got sent home.
Celebrities who have already been eliminated are Strictly Come Dancing professional Katya Jones, TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, actor Richard Blackwood and former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas.
Former world boxing champion Chris Eubanks, kids’ TV star Paul Chuckle, The Wire actor Clarke Peters and Sven-Goran Erikkson’s ex Nancy Dell’Olio have also been given the boot.
While comedian Kae Kurd, Peckham’s Finest star Queen Mojo, choirmaster Gareth Malone and actor and campaigner Adam Pearson, who has a rare facial deformity, failed to make it through to this year’s final.
*Celebrity Masterchef airs on BBC One on September 15 and 16 with the grand final being shown on September 22
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