Celebrity MasterChef fans were doing a double take on Wednesday night after some viewers claimed they spotted what appeared to be a mouse darting through the background of the kitchen.
The alleged sighting quickly sparked chatter on Twitter, with viewers insisting they had noticed the unexpected furry intruder while Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse was whisking egg yolks during a high-pressure cooking task.
The moment came during an episode that had already amused fans, after Oti’s cheeky pronunciation of the spice “cumin” sent social media into meltdown, with one viewer joking they might “avoid the chicken” after her memorable comment.
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Unexpected visitor? Celebrity MasterChef viewers were shocked on Wednesday night after claiming a mouse (circled) could be seen scurrying in the background
Oti was focused on preparing egg yolks for a chicken dish as the celebrities cooked for staff at London Zoo.
However, when the camera pulled back and revealed a section of shelving behind her, several eagle-eyed viewers became convinced something small could be seen moving in the background.
One viewer posted: “Mouse alert in the kitchen #CelebrityMasterChef,” while another wrote: “Swear I’ve just spotted a mouse in the masterchef kitchen – in between the brown barrels in the background! #CelebrityMasterChef.”
A third also tweeted: ‘Did anyone else notice that mouse in master chef or was it just me? #CelebrityMasterChef.’
Strange: During the challenge, Oti was hard at work as she whipped up some egg yolks for a chicken dish to cater to the staff at London Zoo
Right there? But as the camera panned out to show part of a shelving unit behind her, many viewers were adamant a mouse could be seen in the background
I can see it! Many viewers took to Twitter to share their views with several making reference to the 2007 Pixar animation Ratatouille
Another added: “Swear I’ve just spotted a mouse in the masterchef kitchen – in between the brown barrels in the background! #CelebrityMasterchef.”
But a spokesperson for Celebrity MasterChef has since denied there was a mouse in kitchen.
They told MailOnline in a statement: ‘There are no mice joining the Celebrity MasterChef line up this year – it’s Dame Zandra Rhodes’ foot in the background of shot.’
Oops! It came as Oti also left viewers in hysterics with her lewd pronunciation of the spice ‘cumin,’ with one joking that they might ‘avoid the chicken’ following her hilarious statement
Oti was competing on Celebrity MasterChef alongside stars including Joey Essex, designer Zandra Rhodes and former footballer Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock.
The South African dancer also left many viewers in hysterics with a hilarious pronunciation of the spice ‘cumin.’
When explaining what spices she’d had added to the chicken she said she’d used ‘cumin’ – but she pronounced it in the wrong way – and many thought it sounded rude.
Hundreds of fans of the show took to Twitter to comment on the way she said the word, with one even joking, ‘I think I’ll avoid the chicken.’
Celebrity MasterChef continues on Friday at 9pm on BBC One.
Teamed up: The dancer joined forces with designer Zandra Rhodes to create a chicken dish, that they hoped would see them through to the next round
