Celebrity MasterChef hopeful Martin Bayfield, the former England rugby union player, won praise from the judges for his cooking on last night’s episode.
But while his dishes went down well, it was something entirely different that stole the spotlight for viewers at home.
Fans were left laughing after a shot from the series premiere showed the 6ft 10in ex-sportsman looming over 5ft 8in judge Gregg Wallace in spectacular fashion.
The perfectly timed — and rather unfortunate — camera angle made the pair’s 1ft 2in height gap look even more dramatic, creating an instantly comic moment.
Celebrity MasterChef viewers were in stitches after 6ft 10in former England rugby player Martin Bayfield was filmed towering over 5ft 8in judge Gregg Wallace in a memorable shot from last night’s series premiere. The angle made the height difference look even more striking
Quick-witted Twitter users soon drew comparisons with characters from The Hobbit, while one joked that the scene resembled a Year Seven pupil attempting to befriend a sixth former at school
The funny moment quickly spread on Twitter, where users joked that Wallace, 53, looked like a Year Seven student nervously trying to make friends with a sixth former on the first day of school.
Another viewer quipped: “Having climbed the beanstalk, Jack found himself in a kitchen belonging to a giant!”
Wallace, who presents the BBC show with long-time co-host John Torode, 53, saw the funny side, re-tweeting a comment jokingly comparing him to a Hobbit from the Lord of the Rings.
Bayfield’s impressive stature was also not lost on Wallace during the filming of last night’s episode. As he approached the bench, he noted: ‘For a big guy you look a little nervous’
Jack and the Beanstalk and Little Britain (bottom tweet) provided inspiration for viewers poking fun at the striking height difference but others said it was partly a trick of the camera
Bayfield’s impressive stature was also not lost on Wallace during the filming of last night’s episode.
As he approached the contestant’s bench to ask about his first recipe, Wallace commented: ‘For a big guy you look a little nervous.’
A number of playful comments about Bayfield’s height followed throughout the show.
Viewers were delighted by the striking height difference on camera.
One tweeted: ‘Gregg has shrunk in the wash.’ Another joked that he thought Wallace must have been sitting down.
Former sportsman Bayfield, 51, had to lean down to reach the ingredients as he whipped up his first dish on the show, pictured. He impressed the judges and is through to the next round
Wallace, who presents the BBC show with long-time co-host John Torode, 53, saw the funny side, re-tweeting a comment jokingly comparing him to a Hobbit from the Lord of the Rings
Last night marked the premiere of the 13th series of the reality cooking show.
Bayfield, 51, faced off against actor Keith Allen, BBC presenter Michelle Ackerley, Union J singer Josh Cuthbert and T’Pau star Carol Decker in the first heat.
The former England and Rugby Union star, who played for Bedford Blues and Northampton Saints, impressed in the first round but struggled when the stars were sent to cook in a Michelin-star restaurant.
Allen and Ackerley found themselves in the bottom two at the end of the three rounds.
Wallace and Torode decided to send Ackerley home after they were underwhelmed by her fish pie, leaving the others to proceed to the next round.
