BBC Celebrity MasterChef fans issue plea over line-up issue as they spot pattern: 'Year after year!'

A synopsis for the highly-anitipcated episode read: "Expect the unexpected as Celebrity MasterChef fires up the stoves once more, for the first of four weeks of heats.

"Some of the UK’s brightest celebrity talent are in the wings ready to take on the challenge, but only the most fearless will cope with the demands of the competition.

"The race for the title kicks off in style and those who bring their A-list game across the week will win a place in this Heat’s Quarter Final."

After a lot of consideration from the judges, BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Snoochie was the first to be sent packing, while the other four made it to the next stage.

"Obviously, it's a little bit sad to be going home," Snoochie admitted to the cameras following the announcement.

"But a lot of disasters happened in that kitchen, so I was expecting, it to be fair," she continued before sharing her plan to "go home, put my feet up, have a glass of wine and pick up my dog from doggy daycare."

Despite the disasters and drama, the first episode's line-up failed to impress viewers who complained the contestants were all "Z list".

Some begged for show bosses to find "real celebrities" as viewers took to social media to air their disappointment over the first five contestants.

Taking to X, one penned: "Ok Masterchef. Please understand. 'Reality stars' are not celebrities. Please get some proper celebs. This is becoming a turn off year after year. If you can’t afford real celebs then leave it a year yeah?"

"So it's Celebrity MasterChef time again. And here is Reality TV star and influencer..." another wrote.

"#MasterChefCelebrity #masterchef I thought this was supposed to be a Celebrity version," another argued.

A fourth added: "Well it looks like we’re on the celebrity list that follows the Z list #CelebrityMasterChef."

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"Its Z list Celebrity Masterchef time lets see how many celebrities we can name #CelebrityMasterchef," another agreed.

"I remember the days when the words 'celebrity' and 'star' were used for people who actually had talent and/or had achieved something. Now, the definition of both words is so broad that anyone who has appeared on TV for 5 mins is classed as one or the other! #CelebrityMasterChef," fumed another.

However, some were familiar with most of the celebrities and praised the show for its participants. One posted: "So, I know ALL of them. Never sure if people who know 'no-one' either never keep up with what is going on in the world or if I just spend too much time trying to learn everything..? #CelebrityMasterChef."