TV union and women's group call for this year's MasterChef to be shelved
The heads of the broadcast union Bectu and a leading women's rights organisation have joined those calling for the series to be shelved, arguing that it would cause distress to the people who had made complaints about the two men.
Last week the BBC said it would broadcast a series of MasterChef featuring Wallace and Torode, which was filmed before the presenters were dropped after allegations about their behaviour were upheld.
The corporation said it was not 'an easy decision', but argued that it was the 'right thing to do' for the amateur chefs who had taken part, adding that the show's producers had spoken to contestants about airing the programme.
But on Friday the head of the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union, Philippa Childs, said the BBC should reconsider its decision.
'Whilst the BBC claims that it has consulted with contestants there appears to have been no consultation with complainants; freelancers who have taken the very difficult step of speaking out and who will legitimately feel distressed,' she told BBC News. 'If [the BBC] are serious about addressing this industry-wide problem, broadcasters should not reward bad behaviour with primetime coverage.'
Penny East, the chief executive of the Fawcett Society, suggested it would be better to edit the presenters out entirely. 'Seeing Gregg Wallace on our screens will be deeply uncomfortable for many people, not least the brave women who have spoken about his appalling behaviour,' she said.
'It can't be right that men who sexually harass women continue to be given a platform and allowed to maintain their profile and power.'
Wallace was dropped by the BBC after an independent report substantiated 45 allegations made against him, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and one incident of unwelcome physical contact. He has apologised 'for any distress caused' and said the report cleared him of 'the most serious and sensational accusations'.
Torode was dropped as a presenter after he said he was the subject of a substantiated complaint over the use of racist language, which he believes never happened.
On Thursday the Guardian revealed that one of the contestants from the latest series of MasterChef has been edited out of the programme, after telling its producers she did not want the show to be broadcast.
Sarah Shafi, from Leeds, said she told the show's producers that airing it would send the wrong message about the treatment of women.
She said she initially rejected an offer by MasterChef's producers, Banijay, to edit her out of her episode. The 57-year-old agreed to be removed once the BBC announced it had decided to broadcast the series from 6 August.
'I didn't say edit me out,' she said. 'I said: 'Axe the show, don't air the show. I'm asking you not to air the show.' Prominent figures have been abusing their power. What message does that send out to women?'
One former MasterChef worker who said she had been groped by Wallace told BBC News the decision to broadcast the series showed 'a blatant disregard for the people who have come forward'.
Another person who worked on the show, and who said Wallace pulled his trousers down in front of her, said the decision to air the series was 'profoundly disrespectful' to people who had made complaints. 'It ultimately sends a message that such behaviour can be overlooked,' she said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Love Island star Yasmin Pettet is left heartbroken as she reveals her beloved cat Miaow Miaow has died following cancer battle
Love Island finalist Yasmin Pettet has revealed her beloved cat Miaow Miaow has sadly died from cancer. The reality star, 24, often spoke lovingly about her pet during her time in the villa, but heartbreakingly, Miaow Miaow passed away from cancer at the age of 11 while Yasmin was still filming the show. Announcing the news on Instagram on Wednesday evening, Yasmin wrote: 'As I've spoken about her on the show I'm sure a lot of you will know I have a cat called miaow miaow who's been by my side for 11 years now. She continued: 'When I was filming Love Island I had a bad gut feeling something was off and when my mum and sister came into the villa I asked them and still felt like something was off. 'Rightfully they didn't tell me because I was still in the villa but after the final I called my sister and she told me that miaow miaow had cancer and died whilst I was away filming Love Island. 'I'm trying to be as active as I can be on socials but am taking time for myself to process this heartbreak. She concluded the heartbreaking post: 'RIP to my beautiful baby girl, you were so loved and will always be in my soul.' Yasmin, who came in third place with her partner Jamie Rhodes, 26, returned to social media earlier today to thank fans for their support throughout her journey. She said: 'My love island journey has been crazy to say the least but I really wouldn't have been able to do it without my Jamie, Toni and Shakira. 'I feel so grateful and blessed and can't wait to see what the future holds.' Jamie, who affectionately describes Yasmin as having 'black cat energy', praised her now that they're back home, writing: 'Absolutely smashed it, wouldn't want to do the journey with anyone else.' It comes after ITV released the voting breakdown for the final, confirming it was the closest result in the show's history. In total, Toni and Cach received 33.5% of the vote, with Shakira Khan and Harry Cooksley taking 26.2% - showing the result was a close call. Yasmin and Jamie came third with 22% and Angel Swift and Ty Isherwood placed fourth with 18.3%. Toni and Cach won despite the bookies' odds revealing it was Harry and Shakira in the running to win, just hours ahead of the live final. And fans seemed delighted with the decision as they took to Twitter to wish the couple congratulations. They penned: 'Justice served well done Toni & Cach .. what a gentleman man he is'; 'Congratulations Toni and cach. First American and she won. Iconic moves'; 'a bombshell + a casa boy winning love island - iconic!'; 'Love island didn't disappoint with Cach & Toni winning'; 'Toni was her true authentic self'; 'Amazing winners - hats off to the producers for an elite season of #loveisland'. But it looks like Toni and Cach may be spending even more time together in front of the camera, as ITV are reportedly planning to offer the couple a spin-off show chronicling their long-distance relationship, according to The Sun.
Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Kelsey Parker reveals she is taking 'each day as it comes' as she speaks out on losing her third child
Kelsey Parker has revealed she is taking 'each day as it comes' as she opens up for the first time about the loss of her baby Phoenix. The podcaster, 34, suffered heartbreak in June after her son Phoenix - her first child with boyfriend Will Lindsay - was 'born sleeping.' Kelsey was previously married to The Wanted singer Tom Parker who died in March 2022 aged 33 from glioblastoma. In her first interview since the tragedy, Kelsey told The Mirror: 'I didn't think I'd be living a relived experience, first losing Tom and now losing Phoenix. But I think with any grief and loss, you have to take each day as it come and work through it.' Kelsey is mother to Aurelia, six, and Bodhi, four, with her late husband Tom and revealed she has discussed Phoenix's death with them. 'I spoke about it like I did with Tom, I just told them the truth,' she said. 'I think that's all you can do with your children, in anything you're going through, be honest.' Kelsey believes because the children had gone through losing their father, it made accepting Phoenix's death easier. 'We're sort of almost like the Addams Family because we've gone though so much death and darkness. The children are very aware,' she said. Kelsey credited Tom's parents Noreen and Nige for being their for her as she copes with the loss of Phoenix. The influencer said she is still very close with Noreen and she gave Kelsey her blessing when she told her she was pregnant with Phoenix. Kelsey threw herself into routine to cope with her grief and made sure to always be at the school gate to pick up Aurelia and Bodhi to show them 'you have to be brave and show up'. Kelsey confirmed the loss of her unborn third child, a son she had planned to name Phoenix, one week before his planned due date. Breaking the news in a poem, she announced the news on Instagram in June. She penned: 'The world grew quiet as you arrived, So loved, so longed for, yet not alive. Our precious boy, our angel light, Born with wings, took silent flight'. 'We named you Phoenix, brave and bright. A soul of love, of warmth and light Though we never heard you cry, You'll live in hearts that won't ask why. 'No breath you drew, no eyes to see, Still, you mean everything to me. You'll journey with us, softly near, in every sigh, in every tear. Taking to her Instagram stories: she added: 'Before I receive an influx of lovely messages and heartfelt wishes, I wanted to just say that I truly appreciate everything you are all going to say and share. 'But with the news being so raw, I would really like to ensure that we as a family are given space and time to process this devastating and earth-shattering news. 'I love you all and thank you for your understanding and space. Love always, Kelsey, Will, and the Parker Family'. Kelsey met tree surgeon Will on a night out last year, with the couple announcing their relationship in September. On Sunday, Kelsey shared a video of herself on the beach during the trip alongside a heartbreaking letter to Phoenix. The podcast host penned: 'A Letter to My Angel. It's hard to find the words. 'There is no preparing for this kind of heartbreak. I had dreams for you, your first giggle, your first steps, the way you would cling to me when the world felt too big.' Kelsey penned: 'There is no preparing for this kind of heartbreak. I had dreams for you, your first giggle, your first steps, the way you would cling to me when the world felt too big' Kelsey continued: 'All those moments I imagined are now part of a different kind of story — one I never thought I'd have to write to you. 'But this isn't just about pain, it is about the quiet but powerful love you brought into this world. 'About how you changed me — made me softer, more grounded, and somehow even more grateful. 'Grief and gratitude can exist together. I grieve what was lost, but I am so thankful I had the chance to carry you for 9 months and love you unconditionally, I told you every day I loved you. 'You will always be mine. My son. My light. My why. 'I share this not because I have answers, but because silence can be lonely. 'And if you are walking through a similar kind of grief, please know you're not alone. There's a quiet sisterhood in this heartbreak, and I feel you deeply. 'For now, I'm learning to live with the ache, to breathe through the waves, and to find little pockets of peace in the middle of the storm. 'And I know that even though I can't hold you in my arms, I carry you in my heart, always.'
Daily Mail
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Moment gunmen flee London millionaire's enclave after assassinating Kurdish working men's club owner in 'gang-related shooting'
New video shows the moments after a father of three was gunned down on the street in a 'gang-related murder' in a wealthy north London neighbourhood - as new information emerged about his criminal past. Erdal Ozmen, a 45-year-old Kurdish social club owner, was shot dead on Dynevor Road in the millionaires' enclave of Stoke Newington, north London, in the early hours of Tuesday morning. CCTV obtained by the Daily Mail shows the suspected gunmen calmly fleeing the scene in a black Kia sport's car seconds after the shooting. The car is seen turning right out of Dynevor Road onto Stoke Newington High Street before stopping at the traffic lights. Moments later, the car speeds off. A friend of Mr Ozlem told the Mail: 'They were waiting outside. They were in a black Kia 2024. Someone shot him in the back then came back and kicked him and shot him another two times. 'There was one person and another waiting in the car. When they left, they waited 25 seconds at the traffic lights, that's how confident. They didn't hide their face, no masks, nothing.' Mr Ozmen was part of a group of men who were jailed in 2006 for trying to shoot dead a Turkish man outside a petrol station in Tottenham three years earlier, the friend confirmed. He and another man, Ibrahim Aslan, opened fire on the man but only wounded his right arm. Police were called at 0.18am on Tuesday and Mr Ozmen was pronounced dead at the scene, with a murder investigation then launched. No arrests have been made at this stage. Detectives believe the murder - which was the sixth fatal shooting in London so far this year - was an 'isolated incident' with 'no wider risk to the general public'. Residents claimed it was 'gang related', and police acknowledged it would 'concern within the Stoke Newington community' but have not given any indication of a motive. Witness Liza Dodds, 58, a youth worker who lives in the area, said: 'My husband woke up and said there was gunshots. The instant reaction was "how do you know?" 'We both got up and had a look. A police officer was doing CPR where the person fell. It seemed like they were going forever.' Mr Ozmen has three brothers, who are set to join other members of his family to celebrate his life at a social club in Tottenham. Neighbours recalled seeing Mr Ozmen regularly hanging around the street he was gunned down on and going in and out of a 'sketchy' basement opposite where he was shot dead. Residents claimed the shooting was 'gang related', and police acknowledged it would 'concern within the Stoke Newington community' but have not given any indication of a motive Mr Ozmen's friend Ali Rizi Ojur told ITV that he was a 'very good guy, always helping people' Sandy Fabiszewska, 28, who has lived in a flat above the shooting scene for three years, said: 'I was in my bed and then I heard gunshots, it was like four gunshots. It was really loud. 'I was too scared to look out the window. When I finally came out my flatmate said don't look, don't look. 'There was just a dead man there. They tried to resuscitate him for quite a long time.' She added: 'My flatmate was outside and heard a car fleeing and someone saying 'Go, go, go'. There was definitely a car and that's why the Lime bike fell over. 'It was a car and 100 per cent more than one person. I heard screaming and a few people around. 'I think a few people came out of the basement wondering what happened.' Ms Fabiszewska said the victim would often go in and out of the basement below their flat where there was 'suspicious' activity and that it had been raided by police in the past. She explained: The flat below us is always suspicious to be honest. You can smell weed, I think they were dealing drugs. 'Then they got raided quite a while ago. I don't know what happened then. But the door was always open a few days before the shooting. People were in and out and I don't know what happened there. 'I definitely saw the victim walking around here before. He would just be going in and out of the suspicious basement below us with quite a lot of people, like five or six people.' Another local, who asked to remain anonymous, added: 'We were out when it happened so we didn't hear or see anything. 'But when we came back at around 1am, the whole area was cordoned off and the police officers told us that it will be a crime scene for a couple of days.' Mr Ozmen's friend Ali Rizi Ojur told ITV News: 'I've known him maybe more than 20 years. He is a very good guy, always helping people, he has two kids and family.' Four forensic officers in scrubs and masks were at the scene yesterday afternoon, alongside several police officers. A Lime bike was lying flat in the cordoned area. The forensic officers used torches to investigate underneath the nine cars parked on the street. Scotland Yard said the man's next of kin have been told and a post-mortem examination will take place. Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who leads policing for the area, said: 'Our team of detectives and forensic specialists are working at pace to establish the full circumstances that led to the tragic death of this man. 'We understand this incident will cause concern within the Stoke Newington community, however we do believe this to be an isolated incident at this stage of the investigation with no wider risk to the general public. 'Residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area, along with a crime scene, as we carry out our enquiries. We thank them for their patience and co-operation at this time. 'We urge anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information that could assist us, to come forward as soon as possible.' A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'We were called at 12.18am [on Tuesday] to reports of a shooting at the junction of Stoke Newington High Street and Dynevor Road, Hackney. 'We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an advanced paramedic, a paramedic from our tactical response unit and an incident response officer. 'We also dispatched a trauma team from London's Air Ambulance, which consisted of a paramedic and a doctor in car. 'Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a man was pronounced dead at the scene.' Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 108/5AUG. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
