Another contestant has been edited out of the latest series of MasterChef following the controversy surrounding sacked presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode, the BBC has confirmed. Production company Banijay said the participant requested removal, and their wishes were respected.
The move comes two weeks after Sarah Shafi agreed to be removed from the show, stating it should not have been broadcast given the allegations against Wallace and Torode. Wallace was dropped after an independent report substantiated 45 allegations of inappropriate behaviour, while Torode left following a substantiated complaint over racist language, which he denies.
The series, filmed before the presenters were sacked, has already been edited to reduce Wallace and Torode's prominence. The BBC defended its decision to air the programme, saying it was the right thing for the amateur chefs who participated, despite criticism on social media.
A Banijay spokesperson said: 'One other contributor decided that given recent events they would like not to be included. We have of course accepted their wishes and edited them out of the show.' The BBC faces further scrutiny over whether more contestants might request removal.
