### Rising Star: Newport’s Finley Richards Trades Catwalk for the MasterChef Kitchen
A young Welshman is vying for culinary glory as the latest contestant on BBC One’s iconic MasterChef. Finley Richards, aged just 23, has become a familiar face in digital—and even fashion—circles, emerging from Newport to seize a spot in the programme’s much-anticipated new series. While cooking is his passion, it’s far from his only string to his bow.
Finley, who currently lives at home in Newport with his family and two beloved dogs, has embraced an eclectic career path in his short years. Having graduated from Cardiff University, he found early success as a model, landing high-profile assignments with luxury titans such as Dior and Louis Vuitton. Juggling logistics management by day, and a burgeoning profile as a social media chef by night, Finley has wasted little time making his mark on a range of ambitions.
But what compelled Finley to swap the bright lights of Paris Fashion Week for the heat of the MasterChef kitchen? The answer lies partly in his impressive popularity online. In recent years, he has captivated digital audiences with his inventive food content, sharing homemade recipe videos on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. His social presence has amassed over two million views, spurring on friends and family to encourage him to take the plunge and apply to the prestigious cookery contest.
“My cooking videos attracted so much interest online that people kept urging me to push further,” Finley remarked in conversation with WalesOnline. “Eventually, I thought, why not? It would be a brilliant chance to find out how I fare under real pressure.”
Finley’s culinary journey has not been a solo venture. With his girlfriend Molly, he achieved viral fame on TikTok through their charming “Come Dine with Me”-inspired series, where they cooked for one another, scored their efforts, and—crucially—insisted on making everything from scratch. Their infectious dynamic proved a hit and inspired couples across the country, generating a wave of similar videos. From sharing culinary staples like his ‘Sunday morning eggs’ to playful, accessible recipes, Finley has carved out a distinct digital niche.
His growing love of food began in his teenage years, ignited by a necessity to fend for himself at university. Initially embarking on simple dishes—“at first it was just pesto pasta”, he admits—his creativity blossomed as he challenged himself to make the best of whatever ingredients were available. Family influence played a significant role. Finley credits his father, an accomplished home cook with a background in army catering, for inspiring him. The memory of his late brother, who worked as a chef, also looms large over his developing style.
“My approach is really intuitive—I’m happiest opening a fridge or a cupboard and working with whatever’s inside,” he said. “I love experimenting, especially when I have to improvise. Learning by watching great chefs in person or on social media is a huge part of my process.”
MasterChef returns this year despite recent turmoil, after an internal inquiry found conduct breaches by presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode, who were subsequently dismissed last month. Nevertheless, the BBC chose to honour contestants’ efforts by broadcasting the series as scheduled.
With his competitive streak ignited, Finley hopes MasterChef will mark the beginning of a wider journey within the food industry. “I’d love to turn my passion into a career, whether that’s continuing on social media or perhaps writing a credible cookbook of my own,” he commented. “Chefs who thrive under professional conditions really impress me—proving I can handle that challenge was a big motivation in applying.”
For now, Finley’s fans can follow his gastronomic exploits through his TikTok (@finleyrichardss) and Instagram (@finleyrichards) accounts, where he shares regular updates and inspiration. As his MasterChef journey airs, viewers across the country will be watching to see if this Newport native can transfer his online creativity and kitchen flair onto the small screen—and, perhaps, into the pages of his future cookbook.
MasterChef featuring Finley Richards begins Thursday at 8pm on BBC One, with episodes available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Finley’s story, blending fashion, family, and food, stands as a testament to what can happen when youthful curiosity is matched with drive and a little Welsh ingenuity.