Masterchef fans astonished as Gregg Wallace breaks down in tears in the kitchen as Pookie sobs with joy

MASTERCHEF fans were astonished tonight as Gregg Wallace broke down in tears during an emotional moment on the revamped cooking show.

Retired beautician Pookie, from Solihull, started sobbing after being told she had made it through to the next round of the show.

The emotion seemed to be catching, with host Gregg, 57, seen taking off his glasses and wiping tears from his eyes.

He said: "Oh stop it. For crying out loud. You've got me going."

Gregg earlier told the popular contestant: "Pookie. It's gone beyond good food, it's now show-offy chef food.

"Good on you, this is a cookery competition."

She wept almost immediately, saying: "Thank you ever so much. It means a lot.

"I didn't realise that I can cook and serve food to you and you like it and that's what made me happy."

However, not all fans were on board with the show's emotional vibe, with one writing: "Get a grip its a bit of tea."

Another said: "Pookie is a good cook but we need to lose the tears. It sways judging. Same for the rest of them. It’s just cooking."

John Torode also proved a fan of the kitchen star saying: "Pookie is class. She works hard and her flavours are divine."

Masterchef fans started the series unsure about the new-look show after it tore up its longstanding format.

Gregg and John explained that there would now be an 'audition' round - with the pair no longer marching about shouting while the contestants cook.

Instead, dishes are presented to them in a new Tasting Room, as happens in the Aussie version of the show.

And in another twist, Gordon Ramsay is going to be brought in to tutor the finalists this year.

However, not everyone was impressed, with one viewer tweeting: "Why f**k with a format that works?"