The BBC is to broadcast a series of MasterChef featuring Gregg Wallace and John Torode, filmed before the presenters were dropped after facing upheld allegations over their behaviour. The corporation said airing the show was the “right thing to do” for the amateur chefs who took part.
Producers spoke to contestants to ascertain whether they wanted the programme to be shown. The series will be broadcast as normal on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August, though the editing will be reviewed to examine the prominence of the pair.
“MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part,” a BBC spokesperson said. “The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey. This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it.”
Filming was all but complete when allegations over Wallace’s behaviour emerged at the end of last year. Torode appears throughout and Wallace features in all episodes except the final. Earlier this month, Wallace was dropped by the BBC after an independent report substantiated 45 allegations against him. Torode was also dropped after a substantiated complaint over racist language, which he denies.
No decision has been made on the celebrity and Christmas editions of the show, which feature Torode. The BBC said it would announce a decision on those later this year, adding: “MasterChef is a brilliant, much-loved programme which is bigger than any one individual.”
