Craig Revel Horwood, known for his role as a judge on “Strictly Come Dancing,” emerged victorious in the Celebrity MasterChef Christmas special that aired on Wednesday night.

The 55-year-old expressed sheer joy, describing his triumph as “the best Christmas present ever.” This victory marks a significant milestone for Horwood, who had previously fallen short on the show 13 years ago.

The festive cooking competition saw Craig face off against TV presenter Amar Latif, actress Crissy Rock, and reality star Spencer Matthews.

Champion: Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood was crowned winner of Celebrity MasterChef Christmas cook-off special on Wednesday night 

Craig’s win was especially sweet, considering his near miss in 2007 when he reached the finals alongside eventual champion Nadia Sawalha and musician Midge Ure.

For his winning menu, Craig crafted a unique take on a Christmas dinner, featuring fillet of beef paired with sautéed potatoes seasoned with sea salt and rosemary, accompanied by pork and cranberry stuffing.

It was accompanied with roasted and candied beetroot, crispy sprout leaves with walnut and pecorino and a parmesan tuile with chicken liver pate and a port and red wine jus.

Delicious: For dessert he made a black forest rose crepe, filled with cherries in a cherry brandy liqueur served with Kirsch Cream and toasted almonds 

Second time lucky: Craig was delighted by the win, after falling at the last hurdle when he reached the final with eventual winner Nadia Sawalha and Midge Ure in 2007

John described the potato dish as being: ‘so well seasoned they are like the best pack of crisps you have ever had in your life and the beef is absolutely perfect.’

For dessert the Strictly star made a black forest rose crepe, filled with cherries in a cherry brandy liqueur served with Kirsch Cream and toasted almonds.

Gregg loved it and told Craig: ‘It tastes fantastic. That is really good.’

Bring it on: The show returned for the second time this week with Craig going head-to-head against TV presenter Amar Latif, Crissy Rock and Spencer Matthews

Impressed: The judge, 55, said it was ‘the best Christmas present ever’ as he was crowned champion after wowing John Torode and Gregg Wallace with his fillet of beef

The final challenge followed the infamous Invention Test where the celebrities had to create a dish from ingredients found in a Secret Santa present box before a Christmas-themed Pairs Test which saw Craig and Amar Latif team up to create a Christmas Yule Log. 

On his win, Craig said: ‘I have been waiting a long time for this. I’ve had a great time. I’d give everyone a great big Christmas kiss and hug if I could.

‘I never win anything and I love it. This is the best Christmas present ever! Absolutely amazing.’

Gregg said: ‘Craig put a lot into his main course. It was delightful. 

‘The winner had to be him when you look at the technical skill, the ambition and the flamboyancy. 

‘It was absolutely delicious; it was Christmas indulgence. Well done Craig.’

John added: ‘Today was a proper display of festive fantasticness. Craig has been waiting 13 years for this.

‘He is flamboyant, his food is indulgent and that is what Christmas is about. His food was amazing today.’ 

Festive cheer: On his win, Craig said: ‘I have been waiting a long time for this. I’ve had a great time. I’d give everyone a great big Christmas kiss and hug if I could’