The timing of the latest episode of Celebrity MasterChef was not lost on viewers as the remaining celebrities battled it out in the semi-final. The semi-final episode of the BBC One series aired on Thursday night (September 15) after originally being scheduled to air last week.
The BBC, as with other broadcasters, completely changed its planned programming following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last Thursday, September 8. This meant that two episodes of the cooking competition aired last night.
And while being warned that one of the episodes would feature a round centred on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, viewers were left in shock by the celebratory nature of the episode following the historic events of the last week. The first episode saw none other than TV cooking legend Mary Berry turning up to help observes as each celebrity was given one of her recipes to replicate.
The celebrities were then tasked with creating a dish for Queen Elizabeth II inspired by the Platinum Jubilee which the country came together to celebrate back in June to makr the late monarch's 70-years on the throne. A continuity announcement prior to the show airing explained that the episode was filmed months before Her Majesty's death.
But it didn't stop MasterChef viewers flocking to social media to comment. @MultiHuns tweeted: "Watching #MasterChef with the folks and it's all about the Queen. Should they be airing this? As so many other things have been taken off air because of recent events."
@jojop_lester said: “Oh Masterchef!! The timing! Doesn’t seem in the best taste right now.” @tafallen commented: "Hmm, tonight's first episode of Celeb MasterChef did not age well. Are we still allowed to celebrate the Jubilee? Might that be treason or just in bad taste?" @blowpop posted: "Oh this is deeply unfortunate timing #celebritymasterchef."
@Mumto1plus2 penned: "Nope. Can't watch #CelebrityMasterChef . I keep cringing every time they mention the Queen. It just feels so disrespectful." @philritchie posted: "Erm #celebritymasterchef contestants making food for the Queen’s jubilee. Appreciate it was recorded a while back but it’s quite jarring listening to their comments." @triciatweetypie added: "Feeling very awkward about The Queen being talked about as if she is here #Badtaste #CelebrityMasterChef."
Others, however, didn't seem to find it offensive. @Gmackematix said: "The Queen was of the old-school stiff upper lip generation. I don't think she would have been remotely offended. #CelebrityMasterchef." @tvdramaspoonie shared: "How tf is #celebritymasterchef awkward rn? I dont understand all the tweets. It was filmed ages ago and its a tribute to the queen anyway? Are we not allowed to even speak her name now or."
In advance of the episode, a message was also posted to the official Celebrity MasterChef social media pages. It read: "#CelebrityMasterChef returns to BBC One & @bbciplayer with a double bill from 8:30pm tonight. The first episode includes a challenge inspired by Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, and was filmed before last week's sad news. #MasterChefUK."
The episode saw Jimmy Bullard, Lisa Snowdon, Kitty Scott-Claus, Cliff Parisi, Mel Blatt, Faye Winter and Danny Jones return to the kitchen for the semi-final with Jimmy and Faye later being eliminated by judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
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