Channel Ten has threatened to ban MasterChef fans from posting comments on its official program website in the wake of a backlash against unpopular contestant Joanne Zalm.
The Sydney mother-of-two has become the target of an online hate campaign with everything from her cooking skills to her looks and frequent outbursts of on-screen emotion coming in for criticism.
Some media reports claim even physical threats have been made against her on social networking sites including Facebook, where groups such as 'Get rid of Joanne Zalm fanclub' have been formed.
"I hate her," posted one of the 950 members.
"Finally a place with like minded people, who are obvioulsy great judges of character [can congregate]...I despise her, her voice, the way she looks and especially the way she always passes the buck and refuses to take any blame for things not going right (sic)."
Another wrote: "She bloody cried getting interviewed on 7pm Project - you've got 2 be kidding me!!!!!(sic)"
The bile has also spread to the show's official website, where Channel Ten has been forced to pull down abusive comments from fans.
A Ten spokeswoman said this morning Zalm was "oblivious" to the outpouring, but was refusing requests for comment or interview on the subject.
In a statement, the network said it was doing as much as it could to limit the campaign.
"In environments where we have control, bad behaviour and toxic commentary, not in keeping with the positive spirit of MasterChef, is not tolerated," it said.
"MasterChef is a family show and a family website. We have always removed posts that are abusive and have taken an even harder stance in recent weeks."
"We still encourage debate, however all non-constructive personal abuse of contestants, judges and other users are removed and repeat offenders banned."
Zalm, who is one of eight contestants still in the running, has been accused of unfairly dodging elimination on a number of occasions.
Ten this morning dismissed fan claims that Zalm was only being kept on the show to add to the drama.
"All contestants in the competition are here because of their passion, skill, talent and hard work, and each is deserving of their place," the spokeswoman said.
Some fans have taken to Facebook to offer support for the maligned contestant, calling the criticism of her hurtful and "pathetic".
Zalm, who has two daughters aged six and three, said she had considered entering MasterChef series one, but put it off because her children were too young.
“I have a lot of dinner parties but I'm really harsh on myself," she has previously said.
"People tell me my food is good, but I am my harshest critic. I need MasterChef to hone my skills and find out if I really am good."
Despite being slammed for constantly bursting into tears, she warned before the show began she would "cry a lot" at the thought of being separated from her family.
"When I'm missing them, I see the eyes of my children in my head and it makes me really emotional," Zalm, who grew up on a farm, said.
In episodes airing this week, contestants were flown to London this week to cook with a number of top international chefs including Jamie Oliver and Heston Blumenthal.
Competition favourites Marion and Alvin won last night's challenge to recreate a signature Blumenthal dish called 'Sound of the Sea.'
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