Gregg Wallace and John Torode will appear on screens tonight for the most recent series of MasterChef
Sarah Shafi took part in the most recent series of MasterChef and disagrees with it being shown on TV(Image: ITV)
MasterChef returns to screens tonight for the 21st series following the recent controversy involving John Torode and Gregg Wallace. The two TV presenters have hosted the popular cooking programme since 2005 but have both been axed in recent months. The BBC has decided to air the most recent series of the show, which was filmed last summer before their allegations were brought to light.
John Torode was accused of making racist comments back in 2018 or 2019 and it has since been confirmed that his MasterChef contract will not be renewed.
The news came months after Torode’s co-presenter Gregg Wallace also stepped away from the show amid an investigation into claims of inappropriate behaviour that saw 45 out of 83 allegations made against him upheld.
The most recent series featuring the two presenters was filmed last summer and the BBC has now decided that it is the “right thing to do” to have the show air on BBC One after much debate.
Torode and Wallace will still feature in the show, but the series will take a more in-depth focus on the contestants. The series will air from August 6 and the BBC confirmed their decision in a statement.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace have hosted Masterchef since 2005(Image: PA)
It said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
It has recently been confirmed that one contestant has been edited out of the upcoming series. Sarah Shafi, who took part in the new series when it was filmed during the summer of 2024, has been removed from the footage after she disagreed about it being shown on TV.
In a recent interview on Good Morning Britain with Kate Garraway and Ed Balls, Sarah expressed her strong feelings over the BBC’s decision and explained that she felt “uncomfortable” during the filming process.
She told the daytime TV hosts: “For me, it didn’t feel as faithful to the food as I thought it would be and at the same time, I felt it was uncomfortable around the presenters.”
Sarah was keen to express her doubts about the decision for the show to air as she “firmly believes” the series should have been scrapped.
Ed Balls explained the show could be “life-changing” for the contestants, particularly the winner, as the BBC made the decision to broadcast the series for the contestant’s sake.