MasterChef contestant edited out of show after calling for it to be scrapped

Telegraph

2 days ago

A contestant in the new series of MasterChef has been edited out of the programme after calling for it to be scrapped.
The series was filmed last year with Gregg Wallace and John Torode as the presenters. Both men have now been sacked from the show after a review upheld 45 allegations against Wallace of inappropriate behaviour, and one against Torode for using racist language.
The BBC announced last week that it had decided to broadcast the series 'after careful consideration and consultation with the contestants'.
But Sarah Shafi, one of the contestants, said she told the producers that she did not want it to be aired.
Ms Shafi told The Guardian: '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?
'Those individual, powerful men do not [act] in isolation. There is an enabling environment, turning a blind eye … It's about years of these institutions not being accountable.'
She claimed that the conversation became 'quite heated' and that Banijay, the production company, then offered to edit out all of her scenes.
'I was flabbergasted, because in what way was that a solution – and a solution for whom?' said Ms Shafi, a leadership and management development partner for St John Ambulance.
'My point was not about me not being associated with it. My point was about the institutional enabling environment. I said I am completely against the airing of the show. I object to it strongly. This is the principle I'm standing by. I'm objecting to the show being aired, not about me being in it.'
Ms Shafi said she agreed to be edited out once the BBC announced that it would show the series.
'Where is the respect for victims?'
The BBC's argument for broadcasting the series is that it can have a life-changing effect on the amateur contestants. Many go on to pursue careers in food or launch their own restaurants.
But Ms Shafi said: 'Where is the respect for how life-changing, for the worse, it has been for the victims?'
In response, the BBC said: 'Banijay consulted with all the contestants before that decision was made and there was widespread support for it going ahead. We are sorry that this contestant does not support the decision and we are grateful she raised this with both the BBC and Banijay.'
A Banijay UK spokesman said: 'We are sorry that Sarah does not support the decision to air this series of MasterChef. We carefully considered her concerns about broadcasting the series and discussed them with the BBC.
'However, having consulted with all the contributors in the series ahead of the decision being made, the resounding feeling from those taking part was support for airing the series.'
The BBC has also filmed a celebrity version of the show, presented by Torode and Grace Dent, and has yet to decide whether that will be shown.
The Banijay review into Wallace's behaviour was conducted by a law firm and upheld 45 of 83 complaints against him. The majority related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, while the others were for being in a state of undress, unwelcome physical contact, bullying and making culturally insensitive or racist comments.
Wallace has claimed that his autism, only recently diagnosed, was a factor in his behaviour.
During the investigation, a number of complaints were also made against Torode. He was found to have used 'an extremely offensive racist term' in the workplace.
Torode maintained that he had 'absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened'.