Despite Gregg Wallace’s departure from MasterChef amidst misconduct allegations, the BBC faces a significant decision regarding the fate of this year’s series.
Reports indicate that the series, featuring Wallace, was filmed in 2024 prior to BBC News’ revelation of the allegations.
The BBC has remained reticent, declining to comment on its plans.
The corporation maintains it will withhold comment until an inquiry commissioned by MasterChef’s production company, Banijay, is concluded and its findings released.
Wallace has issued an apology for using “inappropriate” language, while expressing confidence that the report will exonerate him of “the most serious and sensational allegations.”
The BBC’s choice regarding the unaired series presents an “extremely tough decision,” according to Deadline’s international TV editor, Max Goldbart.
“They’re damned if they do show it, and damned if they don’t,” he observes. “They’ll be weighing various competing objectives, and those discussions are likely underway.”
One option for the BBC is to proceed with the broadcast as originally scheduled.
However, as reported by BBC News this week, an additional 50 individuals have come forward with allegations of inappropriate comments, touching, and groping – claims Wallace denies. BBC News operates with editorial independence from the broader corporation.
Regardless of the Banijay report’s conclusions, Goldbart suggests that airing the series would be “very awkward,” potentially leading to weeks of discomfort for viewers.
“There could be a backlash,” he states, “not to mention the potential distress for the women who have made claims against him.”
A former MasterChef employee, alleging Wallace pulled down his trousers in her presence, believes airing the series would demonstrate “a real lack of respect” towards those who have come forward.
Another individual, claiming Wallace kissed her forehead without consent, expressed feelings of “disappointment and let down,” suggesting her experiences would be disregarded.
However, shelving the series also presents challenges, beyond potential backlash from fans.
It would represent a loss for the production crew, whose efforts spanned several weeks, and a profound disappointment for the participating chefs in the amateur series.
Irini Tzortzoglou, winner of the 2019 competition, described the experience as “life-changing.”
Since her victory, she has served as a judge, hosted retreats, and worked as an olive oil sommelier, noting she is currently busier than ever.
“I can’t imagine what it would be like for people who’ve waited all this time, biting their nails, only to be told that no-one is going to see your achievements, your stresses, your growth. It would be awful.”
Thomasina Miers, the inaugural MasterChef winner in 2005 and co-founder of the Wahaca restaurant chain, echoed these sentiments.
“[Being on MasterChef] was great, it got me working in food, and I haven’t looked back,” she stated. “It would be mad if they don’t show it. It’s a lot expecting people to turn up every day, give up their lives and income and not get paid, for it not to go out.”
A third option is to make the series available on BBC iPlayer, allowing MasterChef enthusiasts to stream it while avoiding its active promotion on primetime television.
Other broadcasters have employed similar strategies in the past.
In 2021, ITV opted to withhold the final episode of the drama Viewpoint after allegations of sexual harassment against its star, Noel Clarke, surfaced in The Guardian.
Clarke denies the allegations and is currently awaiting the outcome of his libel case against The Guardian.
The Viewpoint finale was briefly accessible on the broadcaster’s streaming platform for viewers who sought it out.
Goldbart believes the iPlayer option has some merit.
“It’s a lot easier to bury stuff on on-demand than on linear TV,” he said, while acknowledging potential financial implications.
However, Dorothy Byrne, former head of news and current affairs at Channel 4, contends that even this approach presents difficulties.
“If they think the person’s unacceptable, then I can’t see how putting it on iPlayer gets around that issue,” she stated. “I would say on balance they can’t show it at all, but I hope there’s a way they can ensure all those people who took part in it don’t lose out on this opportunity, because I really feel sorry for them.
“Perhaps there is a way they could edit him out in a way that still allows it to be shown.”
The BBC faced a comparable situation in November, when the initial allegations against Wallace emerged.
At that time, the corporation decided to postpone the MasterChef Christmas specials, although the most recent season of MasterChef: The Professionals continued to air.
“MasterChef is life-changing for the chefs that take part and the show is about more than one individual,” a BBC source stated at the time.
The difference this time is that the series is not already in progress – making the decision even more complex.
The show’s long-term future, however, appears to be secure.
Earlier this week, Banijay hosted a dinner for journalists and media figures.
The event’s timing, coinciding with Wallace’s release of a detailed statement ahead of the Banijay report, was undeniably awkward (one attendee likened it to “a wedding where the bride or groom had done a runner”).
However, the same source reported that Banijay executives emphasized their commitment to MasterChef and its new location in Birmingham.
When the Birmingham relocation was announced several years ago, the BBC extended the show’s contract through 2028.
Moreover, food critic Grace Dent has already been selected to host the upcoming season of Celebrity MasterChef, indicating that this iteration will also proceed.
“It’s not one of those shows which is defined by its presenter,” Goldbart explained. “I personally feel it can continue. John Torode is very good, Grace Dent has filled in a lot, and it’s one of those rare beasts where the viewing figures on linear [TV] have held up.”
Nevertheless, a decision regarding the current series is imminent.
“They’ll need to make an announcement when the report comes back for the sake of the wonderful people who took part,” Byrne emphasized.
“This isn’t one of those things where you can endlessly delay.”
The comments come after 50 more people make fresh claims about the TV presenter.
The TV presenter has been the subject of an inquiry into alleged misconduct, to be published imminently.
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