MasterChef replaced in schedules after massive ratings blow

MasterChef has been thrown into chaos just days after the BBC replaced the cooking show in the TV schedule weeks after it returned to the airwaves. The current run of episodes has already sparked backlash after it was given the greenlight to air with Gregg Wallace and John Torode at the helm despite a decent report upholding 45 claims against the greengrocer.

The show has suffered a substantially reduced viewership compared to last year's series, with a drop from 2.7million to 1.96million tuning in for the series debut. While the current series is scheduled to air on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday weekly, it has now been bumped from the schedule on August 22nd for the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Currently, there is no confirmed date for when the postponed episode will return to the schedule. England will be hosting the 10th Women's Rugby World Cup from August 22 until September 27.

The tournament will see the home nation play the first game where they will take on the USA, while the reigning champions New Zealand face their first opponents Spain on August 24th.

It comes after John Torode's wife Lisa Faulkner broke her silence following his axe from MasterChef last month. Both Wallace and Torode - who was recently sacked over allegations he used a racist term which he vehemently denied - feature in the new series which has been significantly edited.

A source previously told the Mirror: "There is a feeling the complainants have been ignored and cast aside. It's the BBC burying their head in the sand all over again. There is a lot and lot of anger over this. WhatsApp groups are blowing up."

The new series made its debut on iPlayer on Wednesday morning (August 6), with the first three episodes added to the streaming platform. The season premier was then broadcast on BBC One later that evening.

Wallace was fired by the BBC following multiple complaints of misconduct which were upheld, including his use of inappropriate sexual language. Torode, meanwhile, was axed over claims that he had used a racist term.

The BBC decided to air the latest series after the two sackings as the amateur chefs featured in the run of episodes "gave their heart and soul" to it.

The flagship channel later announced in a statement: "After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August.

"MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey."