This time last year, the BBC was rocked by a number of shocking scandals that threatened to jeopardise the reputations of shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, Glastonbury on iPlayer and MasterChef. The hit cooking competition show had been a staple on the broadcaster since its successful relaunch in 2005 with John Torode and Gregg Wallace at the helm. Their iconic 20-year run came to an abrupt end in 2025 following an independent misconduct investigation conducted by the show's production company, Banijay UK.
Allegations and Findings
The probe was initiated after allegations emerged during filming, and it found that a staggering 83 complaints were made against Gregg. More than 40 of those claims were upheld, including incidents of unwelcome physical contact, inappropriate sexual language, and three instances of being "in a state of undress" on set. Wallace was officially dismissed and later issued a public apology acknowledging he had made inappropriate comments, though he denied being a "sex pest."
Meanwhile, John was also in the firing line when a wider part of the same investigation found that nine complaints were levelled against the star regarding his behaviour on set. The inquiry substantiated a claim that he had used a severely offensive racist term during a workplace conversation. Although the 60-year-old stated he had "no recollection" of the incident, the BBC refused to renew his contract, resulting in his firing just days after his former co-host.
MasterChef Overhaul and Replacements
MasterChef underwent a dramatic overhaul with Grace Dent and Anna Haugh replacing the two, and Matt Tebbutt stepping in to take over Gregg's judging role on MasterChef: The Professionals. The show has continued without its original duo.
Gregg Wallace's Post-MasterChef Career
In the 12 months since, the disgraced chef has pivoted the remnants of his career away from television and focused on social media. In April 2026, Gregg hosted a 12-hour continuous live cooking marathon called Gregg's Kitchen, collaborating with independent food content creators and butchers to sell kitchen items directly through TikTok Shop. The 61-year-old has also heavily relied on fan-engagement platforms like Cameo and recently claimed that he was one of the site's most requested UK celebrities for personalised Valentine's Day videos. The fallout has also seen him channel some energy into wellness, as Gregg completed a rigorous educational course to become a qualified personal trainer (PT) at the age of 60.
John Torode's Path Forward
Despite being fired by the BBC, John continues to work in broadcasting, focusing on his ongoing TV partnership with ITV, including shows like John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen, a lifestyle cooking show he co-hosts with his wife, Lisa Faulkner. In his newsletter, A View From the Fridge, the TV star shared that he began undergoing professional therapy in late 2025. Just months after his firing, John made his first public appearance at the Festival of Food and Drink at Thoresby Hall in Nottinghamshire. There, he delivered multiple live cooking demonstrations to highly supportive crowds, telling fans: "Life goes on! I've had a lot of support, and I'm very grateful."
