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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC spark fury with WhatsApp groups 'blowing up' over MasterChef decision
Anger is growing over John Torode and Gregg Wallace still featuring prominently in Masterchef from women who complained about his behaviour as part of the review into the show Women who complained about Gregg Wallace are said to be furious that he and John Torode still have a prominent role in the new series of MasterChef. It comes amid claims they were not consulted over the pair appearing in the shows, which started this week but were filmed before the BBC axed the hosts. Only the contestants were asked if they wanted the show to go ahead. Wallace was sacked after 41 of the 83 complaints against him were upheld in a review including one of unwelcome physical contact and three of being in a state of undress. Torode's contract was not renewed by production company Banijay UK amid allegations he used racist language,which he denies. One source said: '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.' Broadcasting union Bectu slammed the decision to air the series with Wallace and Torode 'front and centre' and minimal editing. Its chief Philippa Childs said: 'The BBC's decision to broadcast as normal has been incredibly divisive and risks terminally undermining the MasterChef brand. READ MORE: 'I saw Gregg Wallace up close - he was battling demons and I feared the worst' 'Many viewers will have been left with a bad taste in their mouth made worse seeing two celebrities who have had serious complaints upheld against them given prime time coverage. It is clear the BBC did not consult with complainants before making their decision and has not given due weight to the impact it has had on those affected. Broadcasters should not be rewarding bad behaviour with prime time coverage." BBC star Kirsty Wark, who was on MasterChef in 2011, said this week: 'For people who weren't heard at the time if they did speak up and for people who were involved it will be very tough.' The long-running cooking programme returned to screens on Wednesday, with a drop in viewing figures. It was watched by 1.96 million people – down from the 2.73m who watched last year's opening show. Although Wallace and Torode feature heavily in the new series, BBC bosses have cut out some of their jokes. They've removed promotional pictures of them, and neither presenter is mentioned in the descriptions for the three available episodes. Wallace, 60, issued an apology over his antics. He said he was 'deeply sorry for any distress caused' and he 'never set out to harm or humiliate'. He has insisted he is 'not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher'. Torode, 59, claims he has no recollection of the alleged racist comment he made, said to be from 2018. The Lewis Silkin-commissioned report on the pair, ordered by production company Banijay UK, upheld the complaint against Torode. MasterChef's first winner in 2005, Thomasina Miers told how she found the Aussie-born host 'supportive' and could not believe he would be racist. Miers, who founded restaurant chain Wahaca also said Wallace was 'full of smutty jokes' but added: 'I'm also incredibly smutty.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Nearly a million viewers tune out of MasterChef after scandal-hit show makes controversial return
MASTERCHEF'S controversial return has cost it nearly a million viewers, figures show. Just 1.96million watched the first episode of Gregg Wallace and John Torode 's final series — down from 2.7m for last year's launch show. 4 4 4 The shamed co-presenters, both 60, were fired last month after a report into conduct on the BBC cookery show upheld allegations against them. It sparked widespread calls for the latest series — filmed before Wallace and Torode were sacked — to be cancelled. The first three episodes were released on iPlayer on Wednesday morning, with fans noting a lack of Wallace and Torode's trademark banter with contestants. The opener was then broadcast on BBC One later that evening at 8pm. Overnight figures show a large drop in viewers. However 2024's opener was screened on a bank holiday in April, when more people are usually at home watching TV. Wallace was fired after multiple complaints were upheld, including his use of inappropriate sexual language. BBC bosses decided to show the latest series because the amateur chefs 'gave their heart and soul' to it. However one revealed she was edited out after she called for its cancellation. 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, 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." Blades repeats 'on ice' By Ellie Henman THE BBC is to stop showing programmes featuring rape-accused presenter Jay Blades. A source said bosses would do so 'out of respect and consideration to everyone involved'. They said repeats of The Repair Shop and any other programmes he appears in were ' on ice '. Blades, 55, is due to appear before magistrates next week charged with two rapes. He is awaiting trial on a separate charge of controlling and coercive behaviour against estranged wife Lisa-Marie Zbozen, which he denies. He stepped back from The Repair Shop, which he hosted since 2017, after his arrest last May. 4
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Fall in viewers for Wallace and Torode's last MasterChef
Just under two million people tuned into the first episode of MasterChef's new series, a fall compared with last year, after a rocky period for the show in which both of its presenters were 2.7 million viewers watched last year's launch show. However, the figures are hard to compare, due to a number of factors, including the episodes going out at different times of the Wallace and John Torode were both sacked last month after a report into conduct on the cooking show upheld allegations against BBC decided to still show this year's amateur series - filmed before they were sacked - saying it was "the right thing to do" for the chefs who took part. But it faced a backlash from some women who came forward, as well as from the broadcast union Bectu who said showing the episodes could be 'triggering' for people who had had complaints returns with sacked hosts but without their jokesThe first three episodes were released on iPlayer on Wednesday morning, with the series opener broadcast on BBC One at 20:00 to overnight figures, last night's launch had 1.96m viewers, compared with last year's launch show which had 2.73m decline should be seen against a backdrop in which all linear TV is falling year on year's first episode went out earlier in the evening, and on a bank holiday. It also went out in April, whereas this year's went out in August - a month which tends to have fewer the day MasterChef launched in 2024, the highest rated programme was the regional news with 3.7 million night's highest rated programme was the regional news, with three million people tuning in, meaning its figures have fallen roughly the same amount as MasterChef's. 'They have edited out the jokes' Ahead of the new series airing, there had been speculation that the new episodes might be re-edited to reduce the presence of Wallace and presenters appear from the outset and throughout the episodes, but there appear to be fewer jokes than usual and less chat between them and the Daily Star's front page highlights criticism of the new series, saying heavy editing after the presenters were sacked for misconduct has left the show awkward and a "shambles".In a review, The Telegraph's critic Ed Cumming wrote: "To show how seriously the BBC takes the allegations against the presenters, they have edited out their jokes." The resulting series "lacks pizzazz", he Standard's Vicky Jessop wrote: "No jokes here – the production team presumably being terrified that anything either of them says would be taken the wrong way."The first episode "left a slightly sour taste in the mouth", she added - a sentiment echoed by the Independent's Nick Hilton, who wrote that the series is "tinged with a strange, bitter aftertaste".Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said as a viewer, she "certainly won't be watching it", but that it wasn't her place to tell broadcasters what they could or couldn't former Celebrity MasterChef contestant Kirsty Wark - who first came forward to BBC News with claims against Wallace - suggested the BBC could have refilmed the series without the two BBC previously said it had not been "an easy decision" to run the series, adding that there was "widespread support" among the chefs for it going ahead. Upheld complaints The controversy over MasterChef started last year, when BBC News first revealed claims of misconduct against July, a report by the show's production company Banijay revealed that 83 complaints had been made against Wallace with more than 40 upheld, including one of unwelcome physical contact and another three of being in a state of has insisted he was cleared of "the most serious and sensational allegations".In a recent interview with The Sun, he said he was "so sorry" to anyone he hurt, but insisted that he was "not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher".The upheld complaint against Torode related to a severely offensive racist term allegedly used on the set of MasterChef in presenter said he had "no recollection" of it and that any racist language is "wholly unacceptable".Wallace will be replaced by Irish chef Anna Haugh in the final episodes of the new series, because the allegations against him first emerged during filming in November.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
New MasterChef series sees BBC make big change that viewers will spot straight away
New MasterChef series sees BBC make big change that viewers will spot straight away Gregg Wallace and John Torode have been sacked by the BBC and it shows Despite their good rapport, they insist their relationship remains strictly professional. (Image: BBC/Shine TV) I haven't watched MasterChef for years, not because I stopped being a fan of the show, but more because I got quite bored of the same format. Contestants look stressed, make a meal, we question whether or not they'll do it in time, they inevitably do and all the while John Torode and Gregg Wallace make light-hearted banter with the amateur chefs. However, I thought I'd give the new season a go. With controversy surrounding the show following numerous allegations made against Gregg and a racism accusation against John, I thought to myself 'what will the BBC air of the dismissed co-hosts?' To answer my own question, it seems very little. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Following rumours that the pre-recorded series wouldn't see the light of day, many fans of the show are questioning whether or not to watch the new season. One person shared on X: " So today's decision (as a big MasterChef fan) is do I watch or not?" Upon watching the new season myself, I noticed one big thing that differed from past episodes of the show, there's a distinct lack of interaction between the hosts and the contestants. It seems like the usual banter we have seen in the past from John and Gregg with contestant is no more, after bosses reportedly made a last-minute effort to re-edit the programme and reduce screen time for its hosts. The duo have hosted the show together since 2005, and they have always bounced off of each other when it comes to their presenting duties. However, in the new edit it seems like their conversations are more structured and only surround opinions on the food, I mean it is a show about cooking after all. If anything it seems like, they've really cut back on Gregg's dialogue perhaps due to the severity of his accusations. Whereas, John seems to have more air time, and more time speaking to the contestants in comparison to the former green grocer. The BBC chose to proceed with broadcasting the latest pre-recorded series despite objections from broadcasting union Bectu, which argued that inappropriate conduct should not be "rewarded with prime-time coverage". Insiders at the BBC reportedly informed The i, that they acknowledge some viewers may choose not to watch the series. Regarding their choice to broadcast the new series, the BBC stated: "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. "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." Personally, I prefer this edit and shake up to the show. Article continues below It makes it feel more fast paced, and really focuses on the chefs and food which is the true purpose of the show, rather than the stars presenting it.
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘We have a trout-off!' Wallace and Torode return to MasterChef
To say that this year's MasterChef UK has been an unmitigated calamity for the BBC feels like an understatement. In early July, Gregg Wallace was fired from the show after a series of sexual misconduct allegations, including one accusation of unwanted touching (45 out of 83 claims against him were upheld following an official report), leaving the BBC with a headache over whether to broadcast the latest series, which was filmed last autumn. It then emerged that the report into Wallace's behaviour had also highlighted an accusation of racist language on the part of his co-host of 20 years, John Torode. The BBC swiftly dispensed with him, too, despite him saying that he doesn't believe the incident happened. The corporation confirmed in late July that it would broadcast the series anyway; one contestant, Sarah Shafi, was so appalled by the decision that she asked to be edited out. Meanwhile, the broadcasting union Bectu said: 'If [the BBC] are serious about addressing this industry-wide problem, broadcasters should not reward bad behaviour with primetime coverage.' Perhaps unsurprisingly, no advanced screeners were offered to the media; the first three episodes landed unannounced on BBC iPlayer on Wednesday morning, ahead of its 8pm broadcast on BBC One. And so to the programme itself. Would the first episode be full of jarring jump-cuts, introduced to minimise the presence of Torode and Wallace? Would it seem as though the pair had just happened to wander on to the set now and again? It began like any other series of MasterChef, with the narrator, India Fisher, introducing the latest 'battle for the ultimate culinary prize' between 60 new contestants, over some characteristically tense music. As in previous series, Wallace and Torode featured prominently in the opening montage, alongside nervous contestants and lingering shots of plates buckling under the weight of jus and garnishes, with Torode saying: 'This is the sort of stuff that dreams are made of,' and Wallace describing one dish as 'a cracker of a job'. As usual, the first challenge was 'basic to brilliant'. As usual, Torode and Wallace introduced the conceit (contestants have to zhoosh up a workaday grocery item of their choosing). The duo stood and salivated at the prospect of digital marketing manager Thea's gorgonzola risotto and recruiter Gon's take on the Thai dish kaphrao. But there wasn't as much in the way of witty repartee between the hosts and the contestants, unlike the previous series, which opened with one participant declaring that they '[couldn't] wait to meet John and Gregg and hoping that Wallace would give their dish a 'phwoar' of approval. Nonetheless, both were definitely, firmly hosting the show. Wallace was limited to asking questions rather than offering up punchlines, but he delivered his usual gushing critiques. Speaking of business development manager Gemma's mackerel-heavy take on the Malaysian national dish, nasi lemak, he said: 'I could dip bread in this all day.' Torode quibbled over whether vocal coach Beth's chocolate and orange ganache tart was, in fact, merely a chocolate tart. Overall, very much business as usual. Gon and Shaun, a digital marketing manager, received the first aprons and progressed to the next round. Then it was on to the mystery box challenge, with the amateur cooks charged with fashioning a dish from any or all of trout, beetroot and chocolate. As always, there was some light chat from Torode and Wallace about the sort of mistakes the contestants might make, with comments that seemed far from truncated. 'We have a trout-off!' declared Torode as four contestants reached for the fish. Wallace quizzed writer Penelope about her skills with invention and asked whether her couscous was likely to turn into porridge. The critiques were largely effusive, even if Torode did have to console an overwhelmed Thea with the words: 'It's a big thing, isn't it MasterChef?' Those words would take on a greater meaning in the months after filming. Thea was booted off alongside Gemma, with Penelope and Beth bagging the next two aprons. In the final round, the four remaining contenders cooked for the 2024 champion, Brin Pirathapan, and the finalists Chris Willoughby and Louise Lyons Macleod. As the hosts fawned over Gon's Thai-influenced steak tartare and risotto and Shaun's scissor-cut noodles, it was just like old times. Pirathapan, Willoughby and Lyons Macleod took centre stage as the food started to appear, but not in a way that seemed out of the ordinary for the show's guest judges. Still, their presence was surely a boon to Banijay, the producer of the show, which could give over a huge chunk of the episode's final 20 minutes to their discussions about what makes a good tartare and whether fish and apples should ever be on the same plate. But there was still much time given over to Wallace and Torode, speaking with their mouths half-full, raving over a chicken dish that Wallace said he could have eaten by the kilo. By the time the names of the three contestants advancing to the next stage of the competition were announced over a bed of uplifting plinky-plonk music, it was easy to forget that there had ever been a national controversy. It was always going to be a challenge to be faithful to the series while also editing out the two people at the centre of it, but if episode one is anything to go by, it seems the BBC and Banijay have decided essentially to ignore the problem and hope that putting out more or less the same show as ever will suffice. Maybe further chopping the contributions of Wallace and Torode would have felt ludicrous, but it might also have been the right thing to do. Instead, the BBC is getting to have its chocolate ganache tart and eat it. Still, you imagine the ratings will be astronomical. Phwoar indeed.
