FORMER Southampton athlete Iwan Thomas narrowly missed out on being crowned the winner of the BBC's Celebrity MasterChef 2009 last night.

TV presenter Jayne Middlemiss beat Olympic 400 metres runner Thomas and former Coronation Street actress Wendi Peters in the BBC1 show's final cook-off.

The star chef wannabes were asked to produce exquisite fine dining using only open fires and clay ovens at Sir Richard Branson's hotel in the Moroccan mountains, cook for 90 crew members of hit BBC drama Ashes to Ashes, and prepare a meal for Michelin-starred chefs including Michel Roux Jr.

Middlemiss was awarded the title by the show's judges and presenters, John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

Torode said: ''Jayne is a natural cook. She has complete understanding of modern food. Jayne really pulled it out of the bag and is a deserving winner.''

Wallace agreed: ''Well deserved. Jayne truly understands what it takes to make great food.''

Her winning menu included a starter of seared scallops on apple puree with ground walnut sauce and fresh herbs, a main course of pan fried veal on a bed of baby red chard with truffle potatoes and a veal jus and a dessert of lavender panacotta with crystallised violets.