Latest news with #Banjay
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
MasterChef issues update on show's future as Gregg Wallace breaks silence on sacking
MasterChef bosses have issued an update on the show's future following the sacking of Gregg Wallace and John Torode. MasterChef bosses have issued an update on the future of the show following the sacking of John Torode and Gregg Wallace. In recent weeks, both hosts of the long-running culinary competition have been let go by the BBC, with Torode having been dealt with a historic accusation of using racist language, and Wallace was the subject of more than 50 complaints to do with inappropriate behaviour. The broadcaster recently confirmed that the most recent batch of episodes will air as planned in August despite their dismissal, and now production company Banjay has confirmed that the next series will go ahead as they put out a call for new contestants. A post on the show's official website read: "For over 20 years we have been putting Britain's best food talents through their paces. Cooking doesn't get tougher than this. Whether you're an amateur cook looking to showcase your home-taught skills or a professional chef wanting to take your career to the next level you can apply for a UK MasterChef series below." Those hoping to take part can apply at It is not yet clear when filming will get underway, but, as ever, those wanting to take part must be of complete amateur level and have to declare that they have never prepared food in a professional environment. It is thought that TV chef Andi Oliver and Saturday Kitchen star Matt Tebbutt could be taking the reins when the show returns. Plans for the new series have come to light just hours after Wallace, 60, broke his silence on his dismissal and claimed that he has no interest in ever working in television again. Opening up to The Sun, Wallace said: "I'm hurt. I don't want anything to do with telly. I don't want anything to do with the BBC." He went on to allege that he had been a victim of sexual harassment and that he had always overlooked inappropriate behaviour. He told the publication: 'The whole complaints procedure needs to be readdressed - there are huge problems with it as things stand. 'Being on MasterChef was brilliant but I had so many bad experiences on that show too. Had I wanted to raise any complaints, I'd have had the decency to speak to that person directly. Privately, not publicly." Earlier this month, Wallace said he was "deeply sorry for any distress" he caused with his past behaviour after the BBC concluded their investigation. In a statement released via the PA, he insisted that he "never set out to harm or humiliate" anyone. MasterChef's production company, Banijay, employed an independent law firm to conduct the investigation into the allegations made against Wallace. The incident sparked comment from the government, with the Prime Minister's official spokesman saying: "We're clear that appropriate steps must be taken to ensure abuses of power are prevented from happening in the future." 'After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August," a spokesperson 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. '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," they continued. "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."
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
MasterChef begins casting for next series as BBC ploughs on after sacking of Gregg Wallace and John Torode
MasterChef has begun casting for its next series as the BBC ploughed on after the sacking of Gregg Wallace and John Torode. The cooking show has been at the centre of scandal after Gregg was dismissed as a presenter after more than 40 complaints against him were upheld following a BBC investigation. Australian-born chef John, 59, also lost his job after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of. But despite the chaos surrounding the show, MasterChef is forging ahead with a new series. Asking cooking hopefuls to apply, production company Banjay wrote: 'For over 20 years we have been putting Britain's best food talents through their paces. 'Cooking doesn't get tougher than this.' The website added: 'Whether you're an amateur cook looking to showcase your home-taught skills or a professional chef wanting to take your career to the next level you can apply for a UK MasterChef series below.' According to The Sun, Banjay said the decision to cast for a new series came 'after consultation with the contestants'. It comes after Gregg Wallace insisted that he is done with TV and the BBC before making a sensational claim that he was 'groped' during his time on MasterChef as he speaks out following his sacking from the show. The TV personality, 60, said in an interview, how he himself faced sexual harassment from a host of women 'on a regular basis' as he hit out at the broadcaster over their 'complaints procedure'. Speaking to The Sun, Gregg said: 'The whole complaints procedure needs to be readdressed - there are huge problems with it as things stand. Being on MasterChef was brilliant but I had so many bad experiences on that show too. 'Had I wanted to raise any complaints, I'd have had the decency to speak to that person directly. Privately, not publicly. My God, can you imagine the complaints I could have made? Have you got any idea of the sexual references made to me on a daily basis? 'How many times I've been touched by women wanting a selfie? How many times I've been groped? How many times suggestive comments have been made to me? How many female contestants have said inappropriate things on MasterChef?' Gregg added that the thought of complaining wouldn't even 'cross my mind', noting that he wasn't suggesting that groping was 'right', but it was 'happening to me on a regular basis.' The disgraced TV star went on to that he was often 'shouted at and bullied', claiming contestants had a perceived notion that presenters were 'god-like' and adding that he doesn't wish for anyone to be 'dragged through' what he has. MailOnline have contacted BBC representatives for comment. Meanwhile, Gregg, who has been reported to have been banned from working at the BBC, told how he washed his hands of both the TV industry and the BBC having been 'hurt' by recent events. He noted he didn't want 'anything to do with' telly or the broadcaster, before acknowledging that his TV career is now over. When asked if he will watch the upcoming series of MasterChef, he replied with a defiant 'No, no, no, no', stating that he's 'pleased' for the contestants on the show as it was never really about former co-star John Torode and himself. He added that he 'didn't care' who hosted the show next, insisting that MasterChef would be 'absolutely fine' without himself and John at the helm. Gregg's comments come after it was revealed that the BBC would air its amateur 2025 series of MasterChef. In the nine months since the hit BBC programme finished filming last Autumn there have been questions over whether it would ever be broadcast following allegations of inappropriate behaviour against presenters Gregg and John. Meanwhile, Gregg, who has been reported to have been banned from working at the BBC , told how he washed his hands of both the TV industry and the BBC having been 'hurt' by recent events 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. 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.'
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS BBC boss Tim Davie REFUSES to back MasterChef's John Torode - as he makes clear he 'expects action to be taken' following racism row
Tim Davie has refused to back MasterChef's John Torode - as the BBC Director General makes clear he 'expects action to be taken'. The BBC boss confirmed that the cookery show would have a home at the corporation for many years to come, but said that the show was 'bigger than individuals' who present it. But Davie said he had yet to make a decision on whether to broadcast the series that Gregg Wallace and John Torode have already filmed. Torode announced last night that a report into his former co-host, Gregg Wallace, had confirmed a claim that he once used 'racist language '. Asked about the John Torode racism row at the launch of the BBC's annual report, Davie said: 'I would say, there has to be follow-up. 'The BBC in some ways are quite simple on this, if someone is found to not live up to our values we expect the independent company, Banjay in this case, to take action and report back to us on what they have done. 'These are not BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken.' 'But I can't comment, and I hope you appreciate this on individual conversations. It would not be appropriate or fair on anyone in terms of the series.' But the director general gave the MasterChef programme his backing as he confirmed that it would have a home on the BBC beyond 2028. Davie said: 'I absolutely think it does [have a future on the BBC beyond 2028]. I think a great programme that's well loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals. It absolutely can survive and prosper, but we've got to make sure we're in the right place in terms of the culture of the show.' The BBC chief also said that they had yet to make a decision about what to do with the series of MasterChef that was filmed last Autumn with axed Gregg Wallace and Torode. He said: 'In terms of the series [that is already filmed], I think this is a difficult decision. ' 'We need to weigh it up carefully, and 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, and that's what we're going through now, that's the process. we're going through now.' 'I'm not ruling out one way or the other or ruling out not airing it. I just want to go through that process. And then we can quickly make a call.' It comes as it was claimed today that Torode 'faced multiple allegations' of inappropriate behaviour but only one was upheld that he once used 'racist language '. In a post on Instagram, Torode said he had 'no recollection of the incident' and was 'shocked and saddened' by the allegation. A source close to the 59-year-old claimed he was sharing drinks after filming when he is alleged to have used an inappropriate racial term. It is claimed the witness said Torode apologised instantly and 'was mortified' and he 'didn't use the term as a slur'. No one complained at the time, but the incident had been brought up during Wallace's inquiry, the source said. Sources say the BBC and production company Banijay asked Torode to resign last week over the alleged incident but he refused.
