BBC responds to MasterChef viewers who complained as final was pulled due to Prince Philip’s death

‘We do not make such changes without careful consideration,’ the BBC said

The BBC has responded to viewers who complained after the MasterChef finale was dropped following the death of Prince Philip.

The cookery competition series was due to come to a close last Friday (9 April), with the final three contestants going head to head to be named series champion.

However, the show was pulled from scheduling along with all other BBC non-news programming out of respect following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

A record 110,000 people complained about the BBC’s coverage of the royal’s death.

While the BBC responded at the time, saying that they understood that “some viewers were unhappy with the level of coverage given and impact this had on the billed TV and radio schedules”, they’ve now specifically addressed viewers who complained about MasterChef being moved.

“We acknowledge viewers were disappointed that MasterChef: The Final was dropped from the schedule to accommodate coverage of the passing of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the statement read.

“We do not make such changes without careful consideration and the decisions made reflect the role the BBC plays as the national broadcaster, during moments of national significance.”

The MasterChef final was eventually broadcast on Wednesday (14 April), with Tom Rhodes declared the series champion.