MASTERCHEF fans have blasted the BBC for airing a "tasteless" episode 'celebrating' Jack the Ripper.
The show's controversial challenge fuelled fury during the semi-final of the competition.
Six contestants battling it out for a place in the final were tasked with creating a theatrical dish to impress the judges.
Circus performer contestant Chris breathed fire live in the MasterChef kitchen as part of his food theatre - which had a Jack the Ripper theme.
The serial killer who murdered five women on the streets of London in 1888 and was never identified.
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One angry viewer said: "How delightful to see @MasterChefUK celebrating the murder and dismemberment of women. #BadTaste in so many different forms.
"Worst episode I have ever seen. Who on earth at @BBCOne thought this was a good idea."
Another said: "Apparently it's 'really tasty food' but there's a guy on #Masterchef who has just done some kind of cabaret/meal event on the theme of Jack the Ripper (steak tartare) which is frankly pretty tasteless."
Someone else said: "Can't beat a lovely bit of nosh themed on a man who committed some of the most heinous acts of assault and murder of women in British history #masterchef"
A viewer added: "Did that just happen? A man on #masterchef just served beef tartare on a bone as part of a celebration of Jack the Ripper dish? Murdered women’s innards, so creative. What?"
The served a detective-themed meal included a dish of beef tartare with roasted bone marrow and a gin and tonic gel served in a locked box.
Chris told judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace: "You are now detectives and you have to work out who I am by the clues inside the box."
Gregg guessed: "I think he's Jack the Ripper.
"You took us back to Victorian East London but you brought us right up to date with really modern, very tasty food."
