Gethin Jones reveals his mystery disappearance from Celebrity MasterChef was due to suspected COVID-19… and wishes more of a ‘big drama’ had been made of it
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 thought the trophy was in the bag. Nearly the finals and then this happened. I felt gutted for you because I mean you’d worked so hard, but what happened then – was it 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 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…
‘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
Champion: This year’s series was won by YouTuber Riyadh Khalaf
‘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.’
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!’