The BBC has sparked outrage by quietly deleting hundreds of recipes created by MasterChef star Gregg Wallace from its popular food website, branding them too 'childish' for the corporation's culinary standards.
The controversial move comes hot on the heels of the broadcaster's decision to axe the popular series 'Eat Well for Less?', which Wallace co-hosted with award-winning presenter Chris Bavin. Insiders reveal the recipe purge is part of a major content review across BBC platforms.
Licence Fee Fury: 'A Colossal Waste of Money'
Critics have slammed the decision as 'a colossal waste of licence fee payers' money,' questioning why the content was created in the first place if it was deemed unsuitable for publication. The recipes, which included simple, family-friendly dishes, were developed specifically for the show but have now been deemed unworthy of the BBC's digital archive.
A source close to the production told The Mail: 'It seems incredibly wasteful. A huge amount of time and resource went into creating those recipes, testing them and filming the segments. To just delete them seems an odd way to treat publicly funded content.'
Fans Left Devastated by Disappearing Dishes
The disappearance of the recipes has not gone unnoticed by the show's loyal viewers, many of whom took to social media to express their disappointment. Many had come to rely on the accessible, budget-friendly meals that formed the cornerstone of the programme's mission to help families eat healthier without breaking the bank.
One frustrated fan tweeted: 'Absolutely gutted that @EatWellForLess has been axed and now the recipes are gone too! The BBC has literally removed a vital resource for families during a cost-of-living crisis. Shameful.'
Behind the Scenes: A Relationship Under Strain?
While the BBC maintains the decision is purely editorial, rumours persist about the corporation's relationship with the outspoken Wallace. The 59-year-old presenter has never been shy about sharing his strong opinions on everything from politics to healthy eating, occasionally putting him at odds with the BBC's more neutral stance.
Despite this setback, Wallace remains a key face of the BBC's food programming. He is currently filming the twentieth series of the juggernaut that is MasterChef, confirming his status as one of the nation's most recognised culinary judges.
A BBC spokesman stated: 'We regularly review and update the content on our website to ensure it meets the needs and expectations of our audiences.' The corporation has confirmed the axing of 'Eat Well for Less?' but has not commented further on the specific removal of Wallace's recipes.
