BBC ‘will air Gregg Wallace and John Torode’s final MasterChef episode’ following controversial double-axe
Gregg Wallace and John Torode’s final series of MasterChef is understood to air in time, despite the TV duo being axed following an investigation into misconduct allegations.
Sources have claimed the BBC and Banijay UK are only willing to air the final two series featuring the presenters “when the dust settles”, however the BBC haven’t commented on a potential transmission date.
Headlines erupted on Monday after Wallace, 60, was sacked following an inquiry into alleged misconduct, with 45 accusations of inappropriate behavior substantiated, including one of unwelcome physical contact.
Torode, 59, was then let go by the corporation just a day later for allegedly using an “extremely offensive racist term” believed to have been made whilst singing along to Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” at work drinks “seven or eight” years ago.
Grace Dent, 51, filled Wallace’s spot on Celebrity MasterChef amid the controversy, however the future of both the main series and the specials remain uncertain.
A source recently stated: “These past eight months have been truly hellish for all concerned.”
Speaking to The Sun, they continued: “The BBC and Banijay have faced a moral and professional dilemma like never before.
“Obviously Gregg’s case was more clear cut, but John being dragged through the mud wasn’t what anyone wanted or expected to happen.
“But at the same time, and as a publicly funded body, the BBC has a duty to both provide entertainment as well as fulfil its obligations to cast, crew, contestants and viewers alike.”
However, a BBC spokesperson told The Standard earlier this week that no final decision has yet been made on whether the amateur and celebrity editions of the show will air.
“No decision has been made,” they said in regards to a possible transmission date.
The statement mirrors comments made by BBC director-general Tim Davie, who told BBC News: “We haven’t made a decision yet” regarding airing the already-filmed series.
The Australian chef initially took to Instagram on Tuesday to share his reaction to the news of his dismissal.
“Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay I am seeing and reading that I’ve been ‘sacked’ from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I’m accused of,” he claimed.
The veteran presenter showed frustration at the situation, stating: “The enquiry could not even state the date or year of what I am meant to have said something wrong.
It’s alleged Torode is now “preparing to sue” the BBC for unfair dismissal.
A source told The Mirror: “John is preparing to launch the lawsuit against the BBC. He wants to pursue them for unfair dismissal.
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“He’s telling people there is no proof of his supposed comment. It was not in a work capacity; it was just hearsay. John is determined to clear his name.”
The father of two also pressed that he only found out he was let go via the media, however sources “close to the situation” had told The Times he had “been made well aware.”
“We’ve been talking to him about this for weeks. He was certainly not blindsided.”
The saga that ended with both presenters being axed started in November 2024, when allegations of inappropriate behavior surfaced against Wallace.
An investigation was launched by the show’s production company, Banijay UK, and 13 allegations across 17 years were reported against Wallace, including one by former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark and Penny Lancaster, wife of music legend, Sir Rod Stewart.
Stewart accused Wallace of “humiliating” his wife Lancaster on an episode of Celebrity MasterChef back in 2021.
In total, 83 allegations of misconduct were levied against Wallace, which led to his sacking in July.
The Law firm undertaking the investigation, Lewis Silkin, said a total of 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Wallace were able to be substantiated and upheld, including one allegation of “unwelcome physical contact”.
In the wake of the report’s findings, Banijay said that “Wallace’s return to MasterChef is untenable”.
The report also found an allegation against Torode for racist language, which the star denied he had any recollection of and was “shocked and saddened” by the findings.
A day later, on July 15, Torode was sacked by the BBC after the racial language claim was upheld.