The BBC has announced that production of its flagship cooking competition MasterChef will move from London to Birmingham from 2024. This marks the first time in over 20 years that one of the BBC's most prominent shows will be produced outside the capital.
The programme will be made at the new Digbeth Loc Studios, run by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Alongside the main series, spin-offs including Celebrity MasterChef, MasterChef: The Professionals and Young MasterChef will also be produced in Birmingham.
BBC director general Tim Davie said the move was 'great news for Birmingham and the BBC', adding that it fulfilled pledges to create jobs and investment in the West Midlands as part of the corporation's Across the UK plans. Lucinda Hicks from production company Banijay UK described Birmingham as 'one of the most creatively exciting and culinary diverse regions in the country'.
Birmingham will also host the BBC's new apprentices hub, with up to 50 apprentices placed in creative industries in the region in its first year. Mr Davie said the city would be 'home to the future of the BBC'.
