MasterChef 2025 premiere overnight ratings confirm drop in viewers compared to last year

Despite them both appearing in the current season, the BBC decided to air this year's amateur run after consultations with the contestants.

This decision was met with criticism, with one contestant edited out of the programme after telling producers she didn't want the show to air.

The season began last night (6th August) on BBC One, with the first three episodes also released on iPlayer at its usual 6am drop.

According to overnight figures (via BBC News), the launch episode saw 1.96 million viewers tune in, a blow compared to last year's 2.73 million.

The BBC confirmed it had no plans to work with Wallace after an independent report upheld 45 allegations made against him.

Posting on social media earlier this month, the presenter wrote: "The most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.

"I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that, I apologise without reservation. But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks."

It was then confirmed that Torode had been dropped from the series after an allegation of him using racist language in the workplace was upheld, but he said he had "no recollection" of the reported incident.

"The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong," Torode wrote on Instagram.

"I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few days seem to have prevented that."

The decision to air the latest amateur season came after "careful consideration and consultation with the contestants", according to the BBC.

"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," the BBC statement read.

It continued: "This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters.

"We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC.

"However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series."

MasterChef continues on Thursday 7th August at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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