BREAKING NEWS BBC reveals whether it will air series of MasterChef hosted by sacked Gregg Wallace and John Torode - as the corporation admits it was not an 'easy decision'

Daily Mail​

23-07-2025

It has been nine months since MasterChef finished filming its amateur 2025 series last Autumn.
But there have been questions over whether it would ever be broadcast following allegations of inappropriate behaviour against presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode.
The BBC boss Tim Davie revealed last week said that he had to 'weight it up carefully' in light of a damning report into the cookery competition which upheld 45 complaints against Gregg ranging from sexual language to unwanted physical contact, while a claim that John had used a severely offensive racist term was also substantiated.
Tim said: 'We're thinking through things. As editor-in-chief, I think my overwhelming concern is that we've got you know all the amateur chefs that gave their heart and soul to this program and we have to reflect on that. Talk to them, consult them, think about the audience, and then make a call.'
Now the corporation has revealed that the amateur series of MasterChef filmed last year, before allegations against Gregg and John were upheld, will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from August 6.
The MailOnline understand that the BBC have told the MasterChef production company Banijay that the show should reduce Gregg and John's screen time to a minimum in light of the report's findings.
The MailOnline understand that the BBC have told the MasterChef production company Banijay that the show should reduce Gregg and John's screen time to a minimum in light of the report's findings
A source said: 'The BBC have made it clear that it should limit the amount of airtime the presenters have in the editing of the new series, with a bigger focus on the contestants who are at the heart of the competition.'
'Neither Gregg nor John will appear in BBC iPlayer thumbnails and they will not be doing any promotional activity around the latest series.'
'All of the brilliant new contestants were consulted on whether the series should be broadcast, and no one objected.'
'Everyone involved is very keen to promote the hard work of the contestants and that will be our priority.'
The BBC said it had taken the decision to broadcast the unaired series 'after careful consideration and consultation with the contestants'.
In a statement, the corporation said: 'MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.'
The BBC also said it had not yet taken a decision on the completed celebrity series and Christmas special, filmed with Torode and food critic Grace Dent.
In its statement, the BBC said: 'This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it.
'In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC.
'However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.'
The MailOnline understand that the BBC have told the MasterChef production company Banijay that the show should reduce Gregg and John's screen time to a minimum in light of the report's findings
The BBC concluded its statement by describing MasterChef as 'a brilliant, much-loved programme which is bigger than any one individual'.
'There are many talented, dedicated and hard-working people who make the show what it is. It will continue to flourish on the BBC and we look forward to it returning stronger than ever in the future.'
But some people are not happy with the decision, including former workers on the show.
While former contestants on the show previously said that being on MasterChef can be 'life-changing' for them.
Some of the women who came forward with claims against Gregg have said they didn't think it should be shown.