The BBC’s MasterChef has suffered a dramatic drop in audience numbers, with nearly one million fewer people watching the programme’s latest series premiere.

Wednesday evening’s launch episode attracted 1.96 million viewers, a substantial decrease from the 2.7 million who tuned in for the previous year’s opening show.

The significant ratings decline represents a major setback for the long-established cookery competition, which has been embroiled in controversy following the dismissal of its presenters.

It is understood the viewing figures emerged from overnight data, revealing that the programme has lost approximately one-third of its launch night audience compared to the previous series.

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This marks a particularly challenging period for the BBC show, which has faced intense scrutiny in recent weeks.

The programme was filmed during the previous year, prior to the revelations that resulted in John Torode and Gregg Wallace being removed from their positions last month.

Both 60-year-old presenters were dismissed following an investigation that substantiated misconduct claims made against them.

The inquiry validated multiple complaints regarding Wallace’s use of sexually inappropriate language.

Torode faced separate allegations involving the use of a racial slur, which also led to his termination.

Despite calls from various quarters to cancel the broadcast, the BBC proceeded with airing the pre-recorded episodes.

The corporation has encountered significant criticism for this decision, with many arguing the series should have been shelved given the circumstances surrounding the hosts’ departures.

The BBC has defended its decision to broadcast the episodes, stating that the participating amateur cooks had invested their “heart and soul” into the competition.

However, one contestant disclosed that her appearance was removed from the final edit after she advocated for the series to be withdrawn from schedules.

Timing factors may have influenced the viewing figures, with this year’s premiere airing during August rather than April.

The corporation noted that August typically attracts smaller television audiences compared to other months.

Additionally, the 2024 series opener benefited from being scheduled on a bank holiday when more viewers are traditionally available to watch television.

The current series was also broadcast later in the evening at 8pm, potentially affecting its reach.

The broadcast union Bectu warned that screening the episodes might prove “triggering” for individuals whose complaints were validated during the investigation.

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Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy publicly declared she would not be viewing the programme this week.

Wallace expressed his feelings about the situation to The Sun, stating: “No, no, no, no, never. I’m hurt. I don’t want anything to do with telly. I don’t want anything to do with the BBC.”

The first three instalments were made available on iPlayer on Wednesday morning, with viewers observing an absence of the characteristic rapport between the hosts and participants. The altered atmosphere was particularly noticeable given the presenters’ established on-screen chemistry had been a hallmark of the programme for many years.