The channel said it was "the right thing to do" for the chefs who took part, but British broadcast union Bectu has criticized the BBC for rewarding "bad behavior" with prime-time coverage.

What do you want from this competition? Why are you here?” Gregg Wallace asked 70-year-old contestant Penelope at the start of the new series of MasterChef. Viewers wondered the same of the programme.

The controversial new series of MasterChef, which is presented by sacked hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode, has landed on BBC iPlayer, leaving fans of the show torn.