Latest news with #Torode
South Wales Argus
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
The Telegraph slams the 'cursed' new series of MasterChef
Both original hosts, John Torode and Gregg Wallace, were sacked from the show following an inquiry into allegations against Wallace. 51-year-old Grace Dent was confirmed as taking the role over from Wallace, 60, back in December. In July, the BBC confirmed that the 2025 series of MasterChef, which was filmed in 2024 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'. Lisa Nandy recently said that she will not watch the new series because she was 'absolutely appalled' by the conduct of its presenters. I'm glad they're showing #Masterchef - after all the hard work they've put in, it's only fair on the contestants that it's aired. If you're upset by Gregg and watch - simple. 🤷♀️ — Nikki 🇬🇧 🇫🇮 🇨🇦 (@MJ_JJ061215) August 6, 2025 Wallace and his representatives vehemently deny all the claims made and said it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. Although the Secretary of State for Culture wasn't watching, one particularly riled reviewer from The Telegraph was. Ed Cumming wrote: "On the evidence of the first episode – of three that have been put up on iPlayer – Nandy is not missing much. To show how seriously the BBC takes the allegations against the presenters, they have edited out their jokes. "Disgraced presenters might still be permitted to do continuity and exposition, but under no circumstances must they do banter. "Instead, they talk earnestly about the contestants' backgrounds and the food they are cooking. It is an intriguing idea, that after a scandal you could still be Ernie but not Eric. "Given the normal level of wit on display, not having Wallace and Torode's jokes might have been a mercy, but the result is oddly flat. MasterChef is well-suited to being craftily chopped up, as the drama is usually constructed in the edit anyway, but the new series lacks pizzazz. Recommended reading: "Instead, it has a cursed, Night of the Living Dead kind of quality. We know that the presenters are doomed, but on screen, as they blithely criticise the sauces, they don't. "'It's a big thing, MasterChef, isn't it?' Torode tells one struggling contestant, midway through the episode. 'People don't realise.' "We really do. We get it. Now please can we not hear the word 'MasterChef' for a long, long time." MasterChef is on BBC One at 8pm on August 6; the first three episodes are available now on BBC iPlayer
Daily Mirror
a day 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.'
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
The Telegraph slams the 'cursed' new series of MasterChef
Both original hosts, John Torode and Gregg Wallace, were sacked from the show following an inquiry into allegations against Wallace. 51-year-old Grace Dent was confirmed as taking the role over from Wallace, 60, back in December. In July, the BBC confirmed that the 2025 series of MasterChef, which was filmed in 2024 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'. Lisa Nandy recently said that she will not watch the new series because she was 'absolutely appalled' by the conduct of its presenters. I'm glad they're showing #Masterchef - after all the hard work they've put in, it's only fair on the contestants that it's aired. If you're upset by Gregg and watch - simple. 🤷♀️ Wallace and his representatives vehemently deny all the claims made and said it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. Although the Secretary of State for Culture wasn't watching, one particularly riled reviewer from The Telegraph was. Ed Cumming wrote: "On the evidence of the first episode – of three that have been put up on iPlayer – Nandy is not missing much. To show how seriously the BBC takes the allegations against the presenters, they have edited out their jokes. "Disgraced presenters might still be permitted to do continuity and exposition, but under no circumstances must they do banter. "Instead, they talk earnestly about the contestants' backgrounds and the food they are cooking. It is an intriguing idea, that after a scandal you could still be Ernie but not Eric. "Given the normal level of wit on display, not having Wallace and Torode's jokes might have been a mercy, but the result is oddly flat. MasterChef is well-suited to being craftily chopped up, as the drama is usually constructed in the edit anyway, but the new series lacks pizzazz. Recommended reading: Grace Dent 'in floods of tears' after MasterChef drama "Instead, it has a cursed, Night of the Living Dead kind of quality. We know that the presenters are doomed, but on screen, as they blithely criticise the sauces, they don't. "'It's a big thing, MasterChef, isn't it?' Torode tells one struggling contestant, midway through the episode. 'People don't realise.' "We really do. We get it. Now please can we not hear the word 'MasterChef' for a long, long time." MasterChef is on BBC One at 8pm on August 6; the first three episodes are available now on BBC iPlayer
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
The Telegraph slams the 'cursed' new series of MasterChef
Both original hosts, John Torode and Gregg Wallace, were sacked from the show following an inquiry into allegations against Wallace. 51-year-old Grace Dent was confirmed as taking the role over from Wallace, 60, back in December. In July, the BBC confirmed that the 2025 series of MasterChef, which was filmed in 2024 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'. Lisa Nandy recently said that she will not watch the new series because she was 'absolutely appalled' by the conduct of its presenters. I'm glad they're showing #Masterchef - after all the hard work they've put in, it's only fair on the contestants that it's aired. If you're upset by Gregg and watch - simple. 🤷♀️ Wallace and his representatives vehemently deny all the claims made and said it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. Although the Secretary of State for Culture wasn't watching, one particularly riled reviewer from The Telegraph was. Ed Cumming wrote: "On the evidence of the first episode – of three that have been put up on iPlayer – Nandy is not missing much. To show how seriously the BBC takes the allegations against the presenters, they have edited out their jokes. "Disgraced presenters might still be permitted to do continuity and exposition, but under no circumstances must they do banter. "Instead, they talk earnestly about the contestants' backgrounds and the food they are cooking. It is an intriguing idea, that after a scandal you could still be Ernie but not Eric. "Given the normal level of wit on display, not having Wallace and Torode's jokes might have been a mercy, but the result is oddly flat. MasterChef is well-suited to being craftily chopped up, as the drama is usually constructed in the edit anyway, but the new series lacks pizzazz. Recommended reading: Grace Dent 'in floods of tears' after MasterChef drama "Instead, it has a cursed, Night of the Living Dead kind of quality. We know that the presenters are doomed, but on screen, as they blithely criticise the sauces, they don't. "'It's a big thing, MasterChef, isn't it?' Torode tells one struggling contestant, midway through the episode. 'People don't realise.' "We really do. We get it. Now please can we not hear the word 'MasterChef' for a long, long time." MasterChef is on BBC One at 8pm on August 6; the first three episodes are available now on BBC iPlayer
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
MasterChef loses nearly 1 million viewers as Gregg Wallace and John Torode return
BBC One's MasterChef lost nearly one million viewers during its return last night, marking the final series with hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode following their recent sacking MasterChef has lost almost one million viewers as fans snubbed the BBC One programme after the firing of John Torode and Gregg Wallace. The show's latest series premiered on BBC One last night, marking the last with Torode and Wallace after their recent misconduct scandal. Torode's contract was not renewed by production company Banijay UK after it was alleged that he used racist language, whilst his co-star Gregg was fired from the programme after 41 of the 83 complaints against him were upheld by an investigation into his conduct. Despite the scandal, the BBC aired its 21st series, which was filmed before Torode and Wallace were let go from the programme. It has now been revealed that just under two million people watched the show's premiere on Wednesday, according to BBC News. This means that the show has lost almost a million viewers since last year, after last year's premiere brought in 2.7 million viewers. It comes after reports Gregg Wallace is trying to 'earn a living' after MasterChef exit amid 'battle every day'. Wednesday saw the show return but with major changes as last minute edits were made to the series in light of the scandal. Both presenters appeared in the introduction shots of the first episode, however their screen time was massively reduced compared to the previous series. BBC bosses have begun to airbrush them out of MasterChef - removing any promotional pictures of them and reducing their screen time. Neither presenter is mentioned in the descriptions for the three available episodes. Those who did tune in took to X to say that they were switching off as they made the same complaint about the programme. One viewer wrote on X: "I shall tune in to this for 10 or 15 minutes just to see how it has been re-cut to remove its presenters," before adding just minutes later: "Well I've switched it off. The @BBC has made no attempt to remove them from the show." A second said: "We have also switched off Master chef. I can't bear to watch. Of course they could have edited the presenters out and had some sort of voice over." Earlier today, a PR specialist revealed that Torode has "one chance" to save his career after the scandal. Kayley Cornelius told The Mirror: "Should he take accountability for his actions, apologise to those he's upset or disappointed, and demonstrate clear growth since the time of the incident, I do believe, based on current online sentiment, that he has a chance to win back some public support."
