Celebrity Masterchef fans have tipped Bez to be crowned champion of the 2021 series.

Viewers branded the Happy Mondays star, 57, a 'culinary genius' as he rustled up a fish, chips and pickled egg sandwich for the judges during the Wednesday's episode.

However, it was sad news for Su Pollard, 71, who became the latest celebrity to be eliminated after her unusual ham hock, broccoli, apricot and kimchi sandwich failed to impress John Torode and Gregg Wallace during the tense semi-final. 

The final eight contestants were joined by 'sandwich king' Max Halley during the first of the semi-final heats in which they were tasked with creating a sandwich incorporating his six key elements of a sandwich - Hot, Cold, Sweet, Sour, Crunchy, Soft.

And while stars including Megan McKenna, Kem Cetinay and Joe Swash fared well, it was Bez who garnered the most praise from fans and the judges thanks to his creation.

The percussionist - real name Mark Berry - created a 'butty' close to his heart, consisting of battered cod, chips, tempura white bait, mayonnaise and an unusual element of a grated pickled egg. 

And even before the star sailed through to the next stage of the competition, fans took to Twitter to hail him as their champion, which praising his skills in the kitchen. 

'Bez for the win!!!!!' declared one excited viewer.

While another predicted: 'I actually think Bez might be a champion here. That looked outstanding.'

'Bez is gonna win this…right?' asked a third, with a fourth adding: 'Just when you thought you couldn’t love #Bez any more, he sticks a chip shop in a sandwich.'

'Not words I ever expected to put into a sentence but ….. Bez is a culinary genius' wrote a fifth watcher. 

A sixth agreed: 'Let’s face it - Bez is a culinary genius', with another Bez fan remarking: 'I’m calling it now, Bez 2021 Champion'.

While Bez, Megan, Kem, Joe, Kadeena Cox, Melanie Sykes and Dion Dublin all made it through to the next round, it was the end of the road for Su.

Speaking after the news, entertainer Su said: 'I fully expected it, it was because of my broccoli.'

She added: ' I’ve really loved it. I’ve had fantastic time. Everyone has been brilliant'

The author added that she will 'remember this for years to come', before joking that it 'will go on my CV!'

Celebrity Masterchef continues Thursday at 8pm on BBC One.