Gethin Jones has opened up about the reason behind his sudden exit from Celebrity MasterChef.
The TV presenter had been on the verge of reaching the final stages of the competition before vanishing from the series without any on-air explanation.
While hosting Monday’s episode of The One Show with Alex Jones, the 42-year-old said he believes he had COVID-19 at the time and was forced to leave after falling unwell.
Gone guy: Gethin Jones has revealed why he left Celebrity MasterChef unceremoniously early
Alex told him: “I thought the trophy was yours. You were so close to the finals and then this happened. I felt really gutted for you because you’d put in so much work, but what was it in the end — was it coronavirus?”
The Welsh presenter responded: “I think it was coronavirus, although I wasn’t tested at the time because there weren’t many tests available.
“I spoke to my sister, who works in a hospital, and she checked with doctors, who told me to assume it was COVID.”
Disappearance: The presenter was on the cusp of getting through to the finals when he disappeared from the competition without explanation
He explained: ‘I think it was coronavirus although I didn’t get the test at the time because there weren’t many tests. I spoke to my sister who works in a hospital and she spoke to the doctors who said “assume COVID”‘
He then joked: ‘I was gutted but actually I wanted a big drama and some slow-mo music to set me on my way…’
Explaining things further, Gethin added: ‘Actually it was the easiest decision in the world because I thought there was no way I’m going to go back to work if I’m putting anyone else at risk – so that was that!
‘I was absolutely gutted to leave like that and then I looked around and I had all this food that I had been practising on ready for the next round – I had two salmons – six kilograms of salmon…
Spotted: Gethin looked casual as he appeared for his appearance on The One Show on Monday
Hunky: The Welshman looked stylish in a black Tee and khaki slacks
Masked up: He smiled as he strolled along, a face-mask around his wrist
‘Chuffed!’ In April, host Gregg Wallace told MailOnline that the ever-efficient BBC production team worked tirelessly to make sure the 15th series was in the can just in time
‘I’ve still got salmon left – breakfast lunch and dinner!’
The celebrity edition of the cookery competition filmed just before lockdown was enforced in March.
In April, host Gregg Wallace told MailOnline that the ever-efficient BBC production team worked tirelessly to make sure the 15th series was in the can just in time.
‘We’re chuffed that we finished it!’ Gregg admitted. ‘And it really was all hands on deck to get it done.’
Champion: This year’s series was won by YouTuber Riyadh Khalaf
Consummate professionals: Gregg – who co-hosts the show with chef John Torode – explained the the team behind the long-running series were keeping a close eye on the status of the health crisis
‘We’re chuffed that we finished it!’ Gregg admitted that during filming it was ‘all hands on deck to get it done’
Gregg – who co-hosts the show with chef John Torode – explained the the team behind the long-running series were keeping a close eye on the status of the health crisis – which first reared its head in December 2019 – preparing way in advance for any potential delays.
‘As the virus came creeping over the horizon we could see there would be potential problems and we worked very hard to get the series finished,’ he explained. ‘We were very careful. There was never any compromising of health and safety.
‘In fact, there was no hint of lockdown at the time we were filming. But we were still a little nervous of what may happen and so we managed to get there in the nick of time.
‘In fact, before the government lockdown, MasterChef had locked down!’
