MasterChef in more chaos as it's replaced in schedules just weeks into new series

The Sun

08-08-2025

MASTERCHEF'S turbulent return to the airwaves has continued with a schedule shake-up as the latest hurdle to overcome.
The beleaguered BBC has come under fire from accusers of Gregg Wallace for allowing the latest series to be aired, despite 45 claims against the axed host being upheld in a recent report.
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And it's lost a substantial number of viewers compared with last year's series, with 1.96million tuning into the first episode — down from 2.7m for last year's launch show.
The current series is slated to air on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday each week, but on Aug 22 it is being dropped in favour of the Women's Rugby World Cup.
The BBC is yet to confirm when the postponed episode will be aired.
England is hosting the 10th edition of the tournament, which kicks off on Aug 22 and runs until September 27.
The home nation will play in the first game against the USA, while reigning champions New Zealand open their account against Spain on the 24th.
Despite under-fire hosts Wallace and John Torode - who was axed after an accusation he used a racist term was upheld, despite his strong denial - being edited down in the new series, claimants feel let down by the Corporation.
A source told the Mirror: 'There is a feeling the complainants have been ignored and cast aside. It's the BBC burying their head in the sand all over again. There is a lot and lot of anger over this. WhatsApp groups are blowing up.'
The first three episodes were released on iPlayer on Wednesday morning, and was then broadcast on BBC One later that evening at 8pm.
Wallace was fired after multiple complaints were upheld, including his use of inappropriate sexual language.
Torode was then also sacked after it was claimed he had used a racist term.
BBC bosses decided to show the latest series because the amateur chefs 'gave their heart and soul' to it.
Broadcast union Bectu said showing the episodes could be 'triggering' for people who had complaints upheld.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also said this week she would not be watching.
Wallace, furious at his treatment by the BBC, previously revealed he would not be tuning in.
Asked by The Sun if he will watch it, he said: 'No, no, no, no, never. I'm hurt.
"I don't want anything to do with telly. I don't want anything to do with the BBC."
Gregg Wallace - MasterChef scandal in Brief
GREGG Wallace has stepped down from his MasterChef hosting role after a probe into alleged inappropriate behaviour. But what's the situation?
Regular MasterChef host Gregg Wallace is currently the subject of a probe after an investigation was launched into his alleged misconduct over a number of years.
Gregg has been accused of making sexual remarks to 13 colleagues including Beeb anchor Kirsty Wark - accusations he denies.
The 60-year-old has now stepped away from the BBC show while historical misconduct allegations against him are investigated.
Yet the former greengrocer spoke out on social media to blast the "women of a certain age" who he claimed were behind the allegations.
The cooking show's production company, Banijay UK, has said law firm Lewis Silkin would lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged misconduct.
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