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.

MasterChef has returned to TV screens with both of its sacked co-hosts, Gregg Wallace and John Torode, in it. The pair were both sacked last month after a report into conduct on the cooking show upheld allegations against them.

Critics claimed airing the new series is ‘distressing’ for those who spoke out against Wallace and Torode and ‘rewards bad behaviour’