Riyadh Khalaf almost slipped up and spoiled his ‘Celebrity MasterChef’ win.
The 28-year-old YouTube star won the BBC competition as he impressed judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode in last night’s (30.07.20) grand final, and he has struggled keeping it a secret since filming the show in March.
He told RadioTimes.com: "I didn’t fully slip up, but I came close.
"I have a couple of friends who are investigative journalists and they used their power on me to try and lure it out by using really clever questioning.
"I managed to keep it in. I think they knew by my fear and hesitation. I literally walked away from them."
Riyadh – who admitted he is glad he doesn’t have to "tell the lie anymore" – is delighted to have been crowned this season’s champion.
He added: "It feels like nothing I’ve never felt before. It’s Pride but it’s like Pride supercharged.
"I’ve felt a feeling like this before when I’ve made programmes and radio shows and I’m proud of them and then there’s something like this!
"I know deep down I was running on fumes. I gave it everything. I had nothing more to give. I didn’t take this as a joke, but I did go in wanting to have a real laugh, and wanting to make friends and have fun and also do well."
Judges Gregg and John had nothing but praise for the online star after his big win.
Speaking on the show, Gregg said: ""Riyadh has always been flamboyant, he’s always shown creativity, and he’s always been passionate. I think his cooking came of age today."
John added: "I look at those three dishes, and I thought they were restaurant quality."