'Celebrity MasterChef' fans angered by new daytime slot

Celebrity MasterChef viewers have complained over the show's new daytime slot.



The BBC has moved the cooking reality format, which restarted this Monday, from the centre of primetime to the 2.15pm to 3pm slot on weekdays.

One fan wrote on the show's Facebook page: "Ridiculous scheduling also real lack of info out there as to when it was starting. Stick it back on bbc2 at a proper time please!"

Another argued: "Not good, I really enjoy MasterChef but cannot watch it during the day, and the Saturday show is also too early for me to watch. Suppose I'll have to use the catch-up, but it is a shame you thought it only deserved to be shown during the day. It's as if you've given up with it."

Overnight viewing figures this week have so far been disappointing. Starting with an audience of 1.1m (16%) on Monday, the programme fell to 749k (14%) yesterday, outperformed by ITV1's Dickinson's Real Deal.

Celebrity MasterChef's contestants this year include former Soccer AM star Tim Lovejoy, Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark and ex-EastEnders actor Ricky Groves.

Celebrity MasterChef's finale last year peaked with 6.7m viewers.