Gregg Wallace has blasted past 'Masterchef' winners.

The BBC One show's judge believes their very first winner in 2005, Thomasina Miers, would be sent packing had she entered the cooking competition this year because the standard of contestants is so high.

Gregg said: "All respect to people like Thomasina, but I don't think she would win nowadays. The knowledge and skill of the contestants is rising, year after year."

Fellow culinary expert and judge John Torode agrees the standard is unusually high this year and hinted fans have an exciting finale in store for them.

John added to the Radio Times magazine: "We always say it but the competition does get tougher and tougher and this year's final is no exception. Prepare to be wowed."

The 'Masterchef' 2013 semi-finalists this year include recruitment consultant Dale Williams, solicitor Larkin Ken, finance worker and part-time DJ Natalie Coleman and housewife Saira Hamilton.

Greg and John recently admitted they always have a laugh on set because of all the dirty jokes and double entendres they can make from food puns.

Gregg chuckled: "The trouble is food does lend itself to double entendres. Sometimes we have to stop filming because of all the giggling.

"Imagine ... 'greasing the rim' and 'sausage' and 'pork in cider'. We even see the camera rigs going up and down because the crews are laughing so much."