Latest news with #MasterChef:TheProfessionals
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Dubliner Anna Haugh set for new series of MasterChef
Dublin chef Anna Haugh will star in the final episodes of the new series of BBC One's MasterChef, reportedly replacing former presenter Gregg Wallace as the winner of the competition is crowned. Haugh, the star of BBC Two's Anna Haugh's Big Irish Food Tour, is no stranger to MasterChef, as she has previously appeared on Celebrity MasterChef and as a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals. She owns Myrtle, a restaurant in Chelsea, London that serves European food with an Irish touch. Haugh has also been a guest judge on Gordon Ramsay's US show Hell's Kitchen, and her other TV credits BBC's Ready Steady Cook and Saturday Kitchen. In 2024, she published Cooking with Anna. The final series of MasterChef to feature former presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode began on BBC One on Wednesday. In November 2024, it was announced that Wallace would step away from his role on the BBC cooking show while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated, and last month a statement from MasterChef makers Banijay UK and the BBC said they had agreed "Mr Wallace's return to MasterChef is untenable". In the wake of the Lewis Silkin review that saw 45 out of 83 allegations made against him upheld, Wallace issued an apology in which he said he was "deeply sorry for any distress caused" and that he "never set out to harm or humiliate". Torode was the subject of an allegation about using racist language that was upheld as part of the Lewis Silkin review, but the TV star said he had "no recollection of the incident" and was "shocked and saddened" by the allegation. Last month, the BBC confirmed the new series of MasterChef, which was filmed last year before allegations against Wallace and Torode were upheld, would be broadcast in August, adding that it had "not been an easy decision in the circumstances". The BBC added 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," it said. One of this year's contestants asked to be edited out of the series.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MasterChef used to be a hug of a show, now it is just uncomfortable viewing
If telly and food have one thing in common, it's the importance of comfort. French onion soup, shepherd's pie, sticky toffee pudding; all classic comfort foods. As a three-course meal, they might be accompanied by some nice comfort viewing, like the BBC's cookery contest MasterChef, an hour-long hug of a show that returns this week. But, in the wake of allegations made against presenter Gregg Wallace and his co-anchor John Torode, which have resulted in the corporation severing ties with both men, this usually reassuring series is tinged with a strange, bitter aftertaste. When reports about Wallace's alleged misconduct broke last November, the BBC was still filming its latest competition, the 21st series of the show to air since it was revived in 2005. Wallace immediately announced that he would step aside from presenting during the investigation, with chef and former MasterChef: The Professionals judge Anna Haugh taking his place in the final episodes. Last month, following the conclusion of the investigation, Wallace was sacked, with his co-host, Australian-born chef Torode, also axed after scrutiny on the show's workplace culture unearthed an instance of racist language. This series – already filmed (and largely edited) by the time Wallace and Torode received their P45s – looked doomed. Yet, despite one contestant, Sarah Shafi, requesting that the show be scrapped (she eventually agreed to be edited out of it instead), the BBC has gone ahead with the broadcast. It makes for uncomfortable viewing. MasterChef is not thrill-a-minute television. It is a gentle, reliable programme that viewers have on in the background while doing the washing up after dinner. Recent series have run for 24 episodes, broadcast in three-episode tranches over a couple of months, meaning that the contestants – alongside Wallace and Torode – spend much of the late summer living in our houses. With Wallace and Torode both appearing here, condemned yet oblivious, that easy, ambient watching feels marred. Wallace cuts a distinctive figure on TV. Now, his broad, toadish smile evokes not just his cheeky greengrocer persona but the long index of allegations about inappropriate behaviour. Viewers (even Wallace's defenders) will be preternaturally alert to any sense that he is straying towards that dreaded 'banter'. 'Your girlfriend is a Disney princess?!' he marvels at a young cook at one point. 'Yeah,' the contestant replies. 'It's a tough life, Gregg.' Clearly no line is crossed in an exchange like that, yet the reports that have surfaced over the past year have transformed that genial rapport into a warning sign. An amber flag, if you will. 'Oh God, that was stressful,' a young challenger, Thea, says, pulling a face after a brief interaction with Wallace at the kitchen counter. It is the light, breezy comment that contestants have always made, yet it is also something that you can imagine being spoken in a more troubling context. Some viewers would never notice that, while others' minds will be drawn to it. It is indicative of the tension facing the BBC. There was no easy way out of this mess. To abandon the series would be to privilege the BBC's reputation over the hard work of not only the contestants, but a large cast and crew who stretch far beyond the show's two hosts (though when the credits roll and 'John Torode MBE' and 'Gregg Wallace MBE' get top billing, it is a salient reminder of how deeply embedded in the establishment bad behaviour is). Airing this series was a risk, yet the most striking thing is the uncanny normality of these new episodes. The allegations were looming, and yet filming went on. The result is something that, on the surface, feels inoffensively bland. An illustration, then, of how a toxic culture can seemingly hide in the plainest of plain sight.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gregg Wallace to be replaced by Irish chef Anna Haugh in final episodes of MasterChef 2025 series
The new MasterChef 2025 series controversially features sacked hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode – but the final episodes will see Wallace replaced by Irish chef and restaurateur Anna Haugh. This morning (Wednesday 6 August), the first three episodes of the series launched on BBC iPlayer. The first episode will also air on BBC One this evening, with the next two following on Thursday and Friday. The Independent understands that Wallace will be replaced by Haugh towards the end of the new series, since allegations of inappropriate behaviour emerged against him during filming last November. It is understood that Wallace won't feature in the series after the semi-finals. Haugh, best known for hosting the BBC cookery show Big Irish Food Tour, has made appearances on Celebrity MasterChef in the past, and in 2022, she joined Wallace and Marcus Wareing as a judge for MasterChef: The Professionals. She appeared as a guest judge on Gordon Ramsay's US show Hell's Kitchen and as a chef on BBC's Ready Steady Cook, and often imparts her cooking wisdom on daytime shows, including Saturday Kitchen. On her Big Irish Food Tour, Haugh is accompanied by celebrity friends as they explore the history of Irish cuisine and try different recipes. Stars including TV presenter Laura Whitmore, comedian Katherine Ryan and presenter Angela Scanlon have all made appearances on the series. In May 2019, Haugh founded the modern European and Irish-influenced Myrtle Restaurant in Chelsea, London. Restaurant critic and TV personality Grace Dent, meanwhile, was brought in to replace Wallace on the next series of Celebrity MasterChef, which has already been filmed. Wallace's MasterChef sacking came after an independent report substantiated 45 allegations against him, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and one incident of unwelcome physical contact. He has apologised 'for any distress caused', saying the report into his misconduct cleared him of 'the most serious and sensational accusations'. His co-host Torode was also the subject of an allegation about using racist language that was upheld as part of the Lewis Silkin review, but the TV star said he had 'no recollection of the incident' and was 'shocked and saddened' by the allegation. When the BBC announced the 2025 series would be broadcast despite the controversy surrounding its hosts, a statement said it had 'not been an easy decision in the circumstances'. The BBC added 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.' But the corporation said a decision had not yet been made regarding the celebrity series and the Christmas special. Six amateur chefs feature in the first heat of the current series, with both hosts appearing in the opening episode, in which Wallace says: 'Light the stoves, get yourselves a clean apron, and let's find some talent.' The pair's usual jokes appear to be considerably pared back, and there is less chatter between them and the chefs. In an interview with The Sun last month, Wallace apologised to anyone hurt by his behaviour, but insisted he is 'not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher'. He said: 'People think I'm a sex pest. I am not. I am not sexist or a misogynist, or any of it. There never were any accusations of sexual harassment.'
Daily Record
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Gregg Wallace says he is 'hurt' and won't ever work in TV again
The 60-year-old was suspended last year from his roles on MasterChef following accusations of inappropriate behaviour. Gregg Wallace has admitted his television career is finished after the BBC confirmed it had no plans to work with him again, following the outcome of a lengthy investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour. The 60-year-old, best known as a judge on MasterChef , Celebrity MasterChef, and MasterChef: The Professionals, was suspended from his BBC roles last year. Earlier this month, the broadcaster said it had upheld 45 of the 83 complaints against Wallace, dating from 2005 to 2024, Mirror reports. Although the final season of MasterChef, already filmed before allegations emerged, will still be broadcast, the BBC stated Wallace will not be returning. His long-time co-host, John Torode, has also been dropped after a separate investigation concluded he had previously used racist language. In an emotional interview with The Sun, Wallace accepted that his time on screen was over and revealed his growing concern for his financial future, especially with a young family to support. 'I'm hurt. I don't want anything to do with telly. I don't want anything to do with the BBC,' Wallace said. 'Being on MasterChef was brilliant but I had so many bad experiences on that show too.' He expressed frustration at the complaints process, claiming it was flawed. 'The whole complaints procedure needs to be readdressed, there are huge problems with it as things stand,' he said. Wallace also alleged he had experienced inappropriate behaviour from others, recounting instances where he was groped by women while taking selfies and received sexual comments from female contestants. 'I'd have had the decency to speak to that person directly. Privately, not publicly,' he said, suggesting he would have handled grievances differently. Among the allegations, Wallace was accused of exposing himself on set. In response, he acknowledged changing his clothes in shared spaces but denied any inappropriate intent. He did admit to using sexualised or inappropriate language in the past, attributing some of his behaviour to his upbringing. 'I have learnt a lot about myself over the past eight months or so... I understand now and to anyone I have hurt, I am so sorry,' he said. 'I don't expect anyone to have any sympathy with me but I don't think I am a wrong 'un.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Earlier this month, Wallace issued a public apology following the BBC investigation's findings. In a statement released via PA, he said he was 'deeply sorry for any distress' caused and insisted he 'never set out to harm or humiliate' anyone. He has also defended his former co-presenter John Torode, who is facing separate scrutiny for past racist remarks, stating that he did not believe Torode's actions warranted his removal from the show. The allegations against Wallace prompted an independent investigation led by a law firm on behalf of MasterChef production company Banijay. Following the scandal, Downing Street weighed in, with the Prime Minister's official spokesman stating: 'We're clear that appropriate steps must be taken to ensure abuses of power are prevented from happening in the future.'
Scotsman
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
MasterChef next judges: who are the favourites? Latest odds
MasterChef is on the lookout for new judges after both Gregg Wallace and John Torode were axed by the long-running BBC series. The duo were dropped after investigations by the Beeb. The pair had been judges on the show since it was revived in 2005 - but it was announced last Wednesday (July 15) complaints against both had been upheld by the BBC. Wallace faced accusations of sexual harassment, while Torode was sacked after an allegation of him using 'an extremely racist term' was upheld, BBC News reported . Grace Dent had previously been announced as stepping in for Wallace on the 2025 series of Celebrity MasterChef. However now the Beeb are looking for two judges and plenty of major names have been rumoured. If you love TV, check out our Screen Babble podcast to get the latest in TV and film. A couple of frontrunners have emerged according to the bookies and the latest odds feature some very high profile celebrity chefs and presenters. The list of favourites, via , looks like this: 1 . Marcus Wareing - 7/2 Michelin-star chef and cookbook author Marcus Wearing is no stranger to the world of MasterChef. He has been a judge on spin-off MasterChef: The Professionals since 2014. He is 7/2 to become one of the new judges on the main BBC show via | GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images Photo: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images Photo Sales 2 . Monica Galetti - 7/2 Another familiar face to MasterChef fans is among the favourites being backed to become one of the new judges. Monica was a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals from 2009 to 2021 and returned again in 2023. She is 7/2 to be a new judge on MasterChef via |for The Singleton Photo:for The Singleton Photo Sales 3 . Nigella Lawson - 3/1 There are not many bigger names in the cooking world, at least in the UK, than Nigella Lawson. The iconic TV chef and cookbook author is among the favourites with the bookies to be a judge on MasterChef - it would be an eye-catching appointment! She is 3/1 to join the BBC show via |for SOBEWFF Photo:for SOBEWFF Photo Sales 4 . Mel Giedroyc - 5/2 Former The Great British Bake-Off favourite Mel is among the favourites to join MasterChef. She has obviously presented on GBBO and many other shows over the years - but hasn't been a judge on a show like MasterChef before. She is 5/2 to join the BBC show via | Jonathan Brady -Photo: Jonathan Brady -Photo Sales Related topics: BoostTVMasterChefBBC
