MasterChef hopeful Katherine Feddon says time on the show has helped overcome her "zero confidence" following last night's elimination from the BBC show.

The 32-year-old, from New Ash Green, narrowly missed out on a place in the final of MasterChef: The Professionals but impressed judges with her style and creativity.

The former Longfield pupil revealed she grew in confidence under the watchful eyes of judges Marcus Wareing, Monica Galetti and Seasalter star Gregg Wallace.

She said: "I wanted to push myself by going on MasterChef and it was definitely the most pressure I've felt in my life. Having the cameras in your face has such an effect.

"I'm delighted to have made it to the semi-finals because I didn't think I was good enough.

"Before I had zero confidence at all but now looking back on the television I know what I can do.

"You put yourself up for a lot of criticism but all the feedback I've received has been really postive. I've had people on Twitter telling me how sorry they are I've gone."

Katherine says she has always lived in her village near Dartford and has worked as a chef since she was 21 despite studying for a marketing degree at Greenwich University.

For the past six weeks she has been busy working in the kitchen of Reynolds Retreat country spa in Borough Green where she is a sous chef.

She added: "I got stopped in Bluewater last week which was nice. A lady tapped me on the shoulder and said I needed to have more confidence in myself."