New MasterChef series starring sacked hosts to be aired

John Torode, left, and Gregg Wallace had presented MasterChef since 2005

The new series of MasterChef, which was recorded before presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode were sacked, will still be shown on BBC One and iPlayer, the corporation has announced.

The BBC said it had taken the decision "after careful consideration and consultation with the contestants".

In a statement, the broadcaster said: "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."

The BBC also said it had not yet taken a decision on what to do with the completed celebrity series and Christmas special, which were filmed with Torode and food critic Grace Dent.

A regular amateur series was filmed in 2024, fronted by long-serving hosts Wallace and Torode. The first allegations against Wallace are believed to have emerged towards the end of production.

Earlier this month, a report by the show's production company revealed that more than 40 complaints against Wallace had been upheld, while a claim that Torode had used a severely offensive racist term was also substantiated.

The new series may be re-edited in light of the findings, with the prominence of Wallace and Torode re-examined, BBC News understands.

It is thought there will be limitations on how much the pair can be edited out, but the focus is likely to be on the contestants.

'Right thing to do'

In a statement, the BBC said: "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."

Former contestants on the show previously told BBC News that being on MasterChef can be "life-changing" for them.

But some of the women who came forward with claims against Wallace have said they didn't think the new series should be shown.

Reacting to the news on Wednesday, one former MasterChef worker said the decision to go ahead showed "a blatant disregard for the people who have come forward".

Speaking to BBC News, she warned it was "a total reversal of so-called firing from MasterChef - how can you be fired by your work is still made public?

"While a gap in the prime time schedule is not ideal, for integrity they should have found other series to go into those slots."

Another woman, who also worked on MasterChef, told us the decision to air the series was “profoundly disrespectful” to people like her who had made allegations.

“It ultimately sends a message that such behaviour can be overlooked.”

'Show will be stronger than ever'

The upheld claims against Wallace included one of unwelcome physical contact and another three of being in a state of undress.

A total of 83 complaints were made against Wallace, and he has said he was cleared of "the most serious and sensational allegations". But he added: "I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate.

"For that, I apologise without reservation. But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks."

The upheld complaint against Torode related to a comment on the set of MasterChef in 2018. The presenter has said he had "no recollection" of it and that any racist language is "wholly unacceptable".

In its statement on Wednesday, the BBC described MasterChef as "a brilliant, much-loved programme which is bigger than any one individual".

"There are many talented, dedicated and hard-working people who make the show what it is. It will continue to flourish on the BBC and we look forward to it returning stronger than ever in the future."