Masterchef horror as cellist slices off finger

A 'Masterchef' challenge was thrown into turmoil when a contestant sliced off the top of his finger.

In scenes due to be aired on the BBC One show tonight (02.03.11), professional cello player Kennedy Leitch was whisked away for emergency medical treatment when he accidentally chopped off part of the limb with a potato peeler during an intense task.

The musician - who plays with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra - ended up having the top of his middle finger glued back on by doctors who were called to the scene by concerned show bosses.

As part of the tough challenge, Kennedy and his fellow nine 'Masterchef' finalists were helping to peel 20 kilograms of neeps and tatties to accompany a venison dish to serve to some 100 competitors at the Invercharron Highland Games in Scotland.

However, after recovering from the incident, the skilled cellist admitted the finger he injured was the most crucial to his career.

He said: "It was the middle finger of my left hand, which is the worst hand for a cellist to hurt."

Kennedy was one of some 20,000 would-be chefs who applied to audition in front of judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace in the hope of being crowned 'Masterchef' winner.