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.

BBC viewers were left in disbelief as familiar faces unexpectedly graced their screens. What unfolded on MasterChef has everyone talking

MasterChef has returned to TV screens with the launch of a new series that was filmed before hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode were sacked. The pair were both fired last month after a report into conduct on the cooking show upheld allegations against them.