Gethin Jones has revealed why he left Celebrity MasterChef unceremoniously early.

The presenter was on the cusp of getting through to the finals when he disappeared from the competition without explanation. 

Co-hosting Monday night’s The One Show alongside Alex Jones, Gethin, 42, explained that he believes he had COVID-19, and so was sent home ill.     

Gone guy: Gethin Jones has revealed why he left Celebrity MasterChef unceremoniously early

Alex said: ‘I was so sure we had the trophy secured. We were nearly at the finals, and then this happened. I felt terrible for you because you had worked so hard. So, what was it exactly – was it the coronavirus?’

The Welsh hunk replied: ‘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”.’

Disappearance: The presenter was on the cusp of getting through to the finals when he disappeared from the competition without explanation

He elaborated: ‘I believe it was the coronavirus, although I didn’t take a test at that time due to the limited availability of tests. I consulted my sister, who works at a hospital, and she spoke with doctors who recommended I “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…’

Gethin further explained: ‘In reality, it was the simplest decision I’ve ever made because I knew there was no chance I would return to work if it meant putting others at risk – and that was the end of 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!’