MasterChef viewers were mystified over contestant Imran’s victory after judges slated his unimpressive peach pudding.

The dentist was the third hopeful of the night to be put through to the first quarter-final of the series, which returned on Wednesday.

But fans could not understand how he “blagged” the final slot after presenting the second lamb dish of the show and an undercooked dessert that judges described as “hard”.

Some even joked that he must have bribed the judges…

But Imran will be put to the test again on Friday as he joins fellow quarter-finalists Alison and Dave, and Wednesday’s winners James, Maria and Leanne for the next level of the competition.

Thursday’s round was hosted by presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode, with guest judges and MasterChef finalists Tony Rodd, Emma Spitzer and Simon Wood.

::MasterChef continues on BBC One at 8.30pm on Friday.