The BBC is pulling its MasterChef Christmas after presenter Greg Wallace was accused of inappropriate sexual comments. The corporation had said on Monday that all MasterChef episodes that had already been filmed would be aired as planned, including the festive editions. However, on Tuesday, it was revealed that the festive specials will now no longer be aired.
Wallace stepped aside from presenting the show last week after a BBC News investigation revealed allegations of inappropriate sexual comments and inappropriate behaviour against him. His lawyers have denied he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.
Two Christmas specials were planned, both of which were set to air on BBC One later this month. It is understood the celebrity contestants involved in the Christmas special are being spoken to about the reasons behind the decision to pull the show.
A BBC spokesperson said: “As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned. The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them.”
In a press release issued on Friday, the BBC said viewers could “expect fireworks, great Christmas banter and good food”. The first, a Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off, featured The Wanted singer Max George, Emmerdale actor Amy Walsh, reality star Luca Bish and comedian Shazia Mirza. The second, called MasterChef Meets Strictly Festive Extravaganza, was due to feature Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden, Gorka Marquez, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu, with Motsi Mabuse setting a challenge.
On Monday, the BBC came under mounting pressure to consider pausing MasterChef while Wallace is investigated. Rupa Huq MP, who is a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said the continued broadcast of MasterChef could be “triggering” for the women involved. But the BBC confirmed later in the day that all MasterChef episodes filmed would be aired as planned, including the Christmas specials.
It comes after Wallace apologised for suggesting allegations against him came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”. The TV host had said on Sunday there had been “13 complaints” from “over 4,000 contestants” he had worked with in 20 years on the BBC cookery show. His comments caused a backlash, with a Downing Street spokesperson describing them as “inappropriate and misogynistic”.
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