Wednesday's episode of MasterChef left BBC viewers disgusted as they called for one contestant to be disqualified on the spot.
The latest episode saw cooking enthusiasts Naomi, Martin, Joy, Reuben, Victoria, and Michael taking part in a "basic to brilliant" challenge.
The group were asked to pick something they'd frequently use at home and transform it into an "extraordinary" dish.
Reuben, who works as an IT project manager, decided to serve beef and pork mince meatballs alongside a handmade pappardelle pasta and tomato sauce.
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MasterChef's Reuben served the judges undercooked meatballs
|BBC
However, as judge Gregg Wallace cut into the meatballs to sample the dish, he realised they were uncooked in the middle.
Despite applauding Reuben's pasta and the sauce, Wallace, along with fellow judge John Torode, was quick to point out the major flaw.
"Big issue with the meatballs," Wallace commented, with Torode adding: "I cannot ignore the fact that you've got meatballs that aren't cooked all the way through."
Reuben later admitted to the cameras: "I'm feeling deflated. After all, they weren't cooked all the way through, so I can forgive them for not wanting to eat them."
BBC MasterChef fans called for Reuben's 'instant disqualification'
|BBC
Fans tuned into the show were appalled by the mistake, and some called for the contestant's instant disqualification.
"Used to be if you served raw food you were out. Ridiculous! #masterchef," one penned on X.
A second complained: "So the duo that served raw food gets pass, can't take this show seriously! #masterchef."
"The raw meatball thing. This is why I don't ever do meatballs. They've always given me the fear #masterchef," another wrote.
Someone else simply wrote: "Raw meatballs? #Masterchef," while another commented: "Meatballs cooked on a radiator #Masterchef."
"Undercooked meatballs should be instant disqualification #masterchef," another added.
"Raw meatball can't! #Masterchef," another shared. (sic)
The series is Mr Wallace and Mr Torode's last on the show after complaints made against both were upheld in a recent investigation.
The current MasterChef series will be Gregg Wallace and John Torode's last
|BBC
The inquiry validated multiple complaints regarding Wallace's use of sexually inappropriate language and behaviour.
Torode faced separate allegations involving the use of a racial slur, which also led to his termination.
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Reuben faced criticism online over the BBC MasterChef blunder
|BBC
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.