I was sitting scrolling on my phone during a long train journey when I first saw the advert for MasterChef: The Professionals on Instagram.

I was living in Switzerland at the time and just decided I would put in an application there and then without thinking much of it.

The next day I got a call from the production company asking if I would like to come in for an audition.

I flew to Edinburgh to meet with them at a hotel near Waverley station so that they could see what I was like in front of the camera. I was so nervous that I had to go to the bar next door for a little Dutch courage first.

I was in Brazil, where my wife is from, when I got the call to say they wanted me on the series. It was also the day she found out she was pregnant, so it was good news all around.

Then I went to London for filming.

It’s interesting because, with the skills test, you see people crumble and think it might just be the pressure. But that’s actually the first time contestants have ever been in front of the judges, which is what really makes them nervous.

I felt quite comfortable in that situation and think I came across well.

It’s a weird thing to film because it’s not like you can shoot an episode, watch yourself back and then say: ‘Right, in the next episode I’m going to act differently’.

It’s all done at once so you have no idea what bits they will edit.

Obviously, you know how far you’ve reached on the show,........

© Herald Scotland