Masterchef to be dished up later after earlier slot proved inedible

The show will be screened by BBC2 at 6.30pm when it comes back next month with Gareth Gates, Laila Rouass, Jamie Theakston and Olympic gold-winning cyclist Rebecca Romero in the line-up.

Fans of the series were left bewildered by the change of scheduling last year which saw programmes screened at 2.15pm during the week, with catch-up shows on Friday and Saturday evenings.

But when the final came round, the name of the winner was withheld from the afternoon screening and was not announced until the Saturday programme. It led to a string of complaints and the BBC apologised for the “confusion”.

The BBC has now confirmed the show will now move back to evenings.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace will again host the series which will see 16 celebrities battle for a place in the final eight.

The line-up for the six-week series includes EastEnders actor George Layton, former Neighbours star Anne Charleston, garden designer Diarmuid Gavin, former Leeds United and England star Danny Mills, comedian Jenny Eclair, singer Javine Hylton and Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker.