He's swapped bricklaying for flambéing as he dons the famous Masterchef white apron.

Paul, a former police officer from Christchurch will be competing on the new series of Masterchef, which airs tonight.

The famous kitchen is warming up for spring as the cooking competition returns to BBC One tonight for its 18th series.

Paul who is 53 and a builder and ex police officer from Christchurch, will be one of forty-five talented hopefuls to take part.

He said: “I entered the competition because quite simply I love cooking. It is a real hobby of mine and I find it a stress-reliever to cook, and to be creative and inventive with meals at home. Plus, I always think my home cooking is better than going out to a restaurant.

“I love cooking a whole range of dishes from all over the world, and also traditional British dishes, all with the focus of packing a punch with flavour. Living on the coast I cook a lot of seafood and I also take massive pride in making really good sauces.”

Over seven weeks, MasterChef judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace will discover the UK’s best amateur cook, one plate at a time.

This year the judges will be introducing a whole new set of challenges to kick off the competition, which starts on on Wednesday at 8pm.

For the first five weeks, nine home cooks will arrive each week to make their MasterChef debut in the new audition round.

The contestants must calm their nerves to focus on the food and deliver their standout signature dish. John and Gregg will pick their three favourite dishes, giving those cooks a well-earned MasterChef apron and immunity from cooking in the next round.

Over the next few weeks the contestants will rise to a number of challenges, including cooking for 20 returning MasterChef contestants who have gone on to have careers in the food industry.