The BBC's decision to move Celebrity MasterChef from its traditional evening slot to daytime has provoked anger among fans, with ratings dropping by more than a third in just four days. The show, which has featured contestants including former Page 3 model Linda Lusardi and Olympic sprinter Darren Campbell, now airs at 2.15pm daily, with peaktime repeats on Friday and Saturday.
Viewers have taken to online forums and social media to express their frustration. One user on the BBC Points of View message board wrote: 'Scheduling does not get stupider than this!' Others on the show's Facebook page called the move 'ridiculous' and 'piss poor', with many saying they cannot watch during the day.
Ratings have fallen sharply, with 1.1 million tuning in for the first episode on Monday but only 700,000 watching Thursday's episode, according to overnight figures. Last year's series, which aired at 8pm, averaged 4.9 million viewers. The BBC has received 72 direct complaints about the scheduling.
The BBC defended the change, stating that the move to daytime allows for more hours of the show and a greater examination of the celebrities' cooking skills. A spokeswoman added that the Friday and Saturday evening programmes will ensure viewers do not miss the main event, as they feature the final challenges and the battle for a place in the semi-final.
