BBC MasterChef fans spot huge editing blunder as contestant nods to empty space
BBC MasterChef viewers were left more than a little distracted during Wednesday's episode, as they spotted an editing error
MasterChef featured a lot more closeup shots than usual
(Image: BBC)
MasterChef viewers have commended BBC executives after noticing the awkward moment when a contestant was edited out of the cooking programme.
The latest series of MasterChef has been embroiled in controversy in the weeks leading up to its launch, following the dismissal of hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode.
A report revealed that over 40 historical complaints against Wallace had been upheld, along with an allegation that Torode once used a racist term, which he strongly denies.
Despite fan backlash calling for the series to be cancelled, producers chose to broadcast series 21, which had already been recorded. Wednesday (13 August) night's episode - the fourth in the series - saw five amateur chefs enter the BBC kitchen instead of the usual six.
However, the wide shot of the group entering the studio raised some eyebrows as the show deviated from its typical format, opting instead for close-ups of their faces or pairs.
Once inside, John and Gregg explained that two chefs would automatically progress to the next round after preparing their initial dish. The two men in the competition - Sam and Trevor - advanced to the next round, leaving the three women - Hazel, Aileeen, and Marcella - to compete again, reports the Express.
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(Image: BBC)
Following the preparation of a second course, the women made their way back into the room, though the broadcast suddenly jumped after Hazel entered behind Marcella and Aileen.
When John revealed which two chefs would progress to the final stage, the camera angles stayed tightly focused on each of the three contestants, departing from the programme's usual wider establishing shots.
Marcella received her place first, with John then calling out Hazel's name.
However, in a peculiar moment, Hazel - positioned at the end of the line - glanced to her left and offered a grateful nod before turning right to acknowledge Aileen, who stood in the centre of the group.
Yet from what audiences could observe, nobody appeared to be standing to Hazel's left who would warrant such recognition.
When Aileen departed the room, Hazel seemed to motion with her arm towards the left, before a conspicuous vacant space beside Hazel appeared on screen, rendering the exchange even more puzzling.
This strange episode follows revelations that one participant had requested to be edited from the series.
Social media users quickly took to X - previously Twitter - to commend the editors for their skilful work in seamlessly erasing one competitor from the programme.
Eagle-eyed viewers spotted an editing blunder on the show
(Image: BBC)
One viewer praised: "Kudos to the editors of this episode. You would hardly have known that one contestant had been edited out."
Another viewer concurred: "I've just witnessed a masterpiece of editing" whilst a third remarked: "They managed to completely edit out Sarah Shafi! How was it possible?".
Sarah Shafi, from Leeds, maintained that broadcasting the series delivered the wrong message following the BBC's dismissal of presenters who subsequently returned to television.
The 57-year-old participant revealed that producer Banijay had proposed editing her appearance from the episode in which she appeared. However, the contestant rejected this suggestion and demanded the entire series be cancelled.
After the broadcaster confirmed the programme would proceed, Ms Shafi consented to being removed from the footage.
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A Banijay spokesperson had previously stated: "As we said when we announced the show would be aired, this was not an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone would agree with it.
"Banijay consulted with all the contestants before that decision was made and there was widespread support for it going ahead. The focus of the series is the contestants, as it always is. The edit has been looked at in light of the upheld findings."
MasterChef is available to watch on BBC iPlayer
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