BBC MasterChef fans do double take as they ask if Apprentice star has joined line-up

Masterchef fans did a double take as they asked if an Apprentice star had joined this year's line-up.

The hit BBC culinary competition returned for its 21st series this week, with a fresh group of hopefuls showcasing their culinary talents in a bid to become this year's champion.

On Thursday (August 7), six fresh faces entered the kitchen, with one particular Masterchef contestant sparking a wave of viewer reaction.

At the start of the episode, fans were introduced to 36-year-old landscape gardener Charlie, who opened up about his love of cooking.

"[I've been] practising every night putting edible flowers all over beans on toast, jacket potato, even on the side of a sandwich... Nerves are still there a little bit, but feeling good," he said.

London-based Charlie has been transforming outdoor spaces for over 17 years and dreams of showcasing his love of nature in his own kitchen garden restaurant.

"I've done a lot of vegetable patches for people. People want to have sustainable gardens and grow their own food, so I always use fresh ingredients when I can," he explained.

"I've got ADHD, so after a hard day's work, cooking is something that grounds me."

However, BBC viewers couldn't help but notice that Charlie looked very similar to The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, with many taking to social media to share their confusion.

"That Thomas Skinner on Masterchef?" one person asked on X (formerly Twitter).

"Great to see Thomas Skinner back on #MasterChef again," another joked, while a third said: "Guess Thomas Skinner has a brother called Charlie."

A fourth fan echoed the sentiment, saying: "Charlie, the Tom Skinner of the #MasterChef kitchen, if he doesn't bosh I'll eat my hat," with another similarly sharing: "What is Tom Skinner doing on amateur Masterchef?"

Elsewhere in the episode, the chefs had an hour to cook an everyday ingredient and turn it into "something truly delicious", while keeping it as the main feature of the dish.

The bottom four then had to cook again, before two were eliminated from the competition. Sadly, Charlie was amongst the unforunate chefs, alongside Gifty.

The remaining contestants then prepared two dishes for a panel of three past champions, before the judges chose Finley, Claire and Jordan to go through to the quarter final.

MasterChef is available to stream on BBC iPlayer