BBC MasterChef fans call for 'instant disqualification' after player's major error

BBC viewers demanded a contestant be disqualified out of MasterChef after he made a huge blunder during a taste test with the judges. The six hopefuls - Naomi, Martin, Joy, Michael, Reuben and Victoria - were challenged to impress Gregg Wallace and John Torode with a dish for the "basic to brilliant" task. They were told to take something they would normally cook at home and elevate it into something "extraordinary".

IT project manager Reuben opted to serve up classic beef and pork mince meatballs with handmade pappardelle pasta in tomato sauce. But disaster struck when Gregg cut into the meatballs - only to discover they were raw in the middle. While the judges praised his pasta and sauce, they didn't hold back on the main problem. Gregg told him: "Big issue with the meatballs," as John added: "I cannot ignore the fact that you've got meatballs that aren't cooked all the way through."

As he slumped away looking disheartened, Reuben admitted to viewers at home: "I'm feeling deflated. After all, they weren't cooked all the way through, so I can forgive them for not wanting to eat them."

Fans at home were quick to pile in, insisting the error should have seen him disqualified.

One raged: "Undercooked meatballs should be instant disqualification." Another added: "Were they cooked with a blowtorch?" A third fumed: "Sorry, but that's a major schoolboy error at the stage he should absolutely be disqualified. Shame."

As fans will know, this series will be John and Gregg's last on the show following a series of separate allegations against them.

A former MasterChef winner has claimed John Torode was "hung out to dry" after the presenter was axed by the BBC.

It was confirmed last month by the broadcaster and production company Banijay UK that the 59-year-old's contract on the cooking show would not be renewed.

Australian-born Torode, who has hosted MasterChef with Gregg Wallace since 2005, admitted he was the subject of an allegation of using racist language.

Torode has strongly denied the claim, insisting: "He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment."

Thomasina Miers, who won the first series of the revived show in 2005, told The Times: "I cannot believe that John got hung out to dry like that. 20 years of his life of dedicated service, John is like the least racist person I've ever met. I just don't get it."

A BBC spokesperson said: "This allegation, which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace, was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm, Lewis Silkin. John Torode denies the allegation."