MasterChef Edits Second Contestant Out Of This Year's Series
MasterChef has been plagued by scandal over the last year, with both Gregg Wallace and his co-presenter John Torode eventually being dropped last month following misconduct allegations.
This latest development comes after another contestant from the current series confirmed she was being edited out of the show, having claimed that she'd first urged the BBC not to air the season at all.
A spokesperson for the show's production company, Banijay, said in a fresh statement to BBC News: '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.'
Gregg was dropped as host of MasterChef in July, after almost 20 years at the helm, following claims that were upheld in a report alleging the use of sexual language and one case of unwanted physical contact.
He has since apologised for 'any distress caused' by his behaviour, while also noting that he was cleared of what he described as 'the most serious and sensational accusations'.
John was also later dropped after a complaint of alleged racist language was upheld, though he has since claimed he has 'no recollection of what I'm accused of'.
The BBC went ahead with airing this year's series, filmed towards the end of last year, in a move they have described as 'the right thing to do' for the chefs who took part.
However, contestant Sarah Shafi, the first participant who asked to be edited out of the show, expressed her opposition to the show being aired altogether. 'Prominent figures have been abusing their power. What message does that send out to women?' she told The Guardian.
In a previous statement, the BBC said it had 'not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it'.
The broadcaster has already reported a fall in ratings for this year's MasterChef, with just under two million tuning in to the first episode compared to about 2.7 million for last year's launch, though this figure can be affected by a number of factors, including the different times of the year each episode went live at.
Critics have also noted that the apparent reediting of the show has disrupted its usual format, with The Telegraph claiming the new season has 'no humour or edge', and The Independent calling it 'troubling viewing'.
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