The BBC is grappling with a major decision over the future of an unaired season of MasterChef that prominently features presenter Gregg Wallace, who is currently at the centre of serious misconduct allegations.
Wallace, a familiar face on British television, has been accused by more than 50 individuals of inappropriate behaviour, including sexual harassment and misconduct on set, allegations which he has strongly denied.
The 60-year-old stepped back from MasterChef last year amid an external investigation into historical complaints. The developments have placed new scrutiny on whether the pre-recorded 2024 season should be aired at all.
Sources told The Guardian that BBC Director General Tim Davie is now weighing up whether the latest MasterChef series can be broadcast, as Wallace appears throughout and even features in the finale.
Editing Wallace out of the show has reportedly been ruled out as impractical, given the scale of his involvement during the filming of the full season.
This has created an internal crisis for the broadcaster, as shelving the series would also mean denying contestants significant career opportunities and exposure.
The programme has been a launchpad for many successful chefs, and contestants often rely on the show to open doors within the hospitality industry.
The broadcaster is under additional pressure after BBC News reported that 50 more individuals had come forward with complaints regarding Wallace’s behaviour during his time with the show.
Wallace responded to the reports with a strongly worded Instagram post on Monday, criticising the BBC’s handling of the situation and stating that his reputation was being “damaged to protect others”.
“After 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged,” Wallace wrote.
He said he had been “cleared by the Silkins report of the most serious and sensational accusations” following a six-month investigation.
Wallace added that the “most damaging claims,” including some made by public figures, were found to be “baseless” and that his decision to speak out was prompted by BBC News’ intent to report on unverified allegations.
“To be clear, the Silkin’s Report exonerates me of all the serious allegations which made headlines last year and finds me primarily guilty of inappropriate language between 2005 and 2018,” he said.
Wallace acknowledged that some of his humour and language had been “inappropriate” and offered an apology without reservation.
“But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks,” he added.
Among the allegations published by BBC News was a claim from a woman named Alice, who alleged Wallace exposed himself in a dressing room and described the incident as “disgusting and predatory”.
Despite raising the issue, Alice claimed a senior member of production reportedly dismissed her concerns by saying: “You’re over 16, you’re not being ‘Jimmy Saviled’.”
The allegations have further intensified scrutiny around the culture on set during Wallace’s tenure.
In a separate development, The Sun reported that Wallace had suffered a suspected heart attack just days before the Silkins report was released.
According to the publication, Wallace told a friend that he experienced chest pains and had to be admitted to a hospital in Kent.
“The stress of this betrayal brought on my suspected heart attack. It’s been hell,” he reportedly said.
The situation has also put pressure on Banijay UK, the production company behind MasterChef, which instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the independent investigation.
A BBC spokesperson told Metro that it would not be commenting further until the investigation is complete and its findings are published.
The broadcaster has not set a formal date for the airing of the new MasterChef series, leaving its future in doubt as the scandal unfolds.
Editing by M10News Entertainment Desk | Contact: info@m10news.com
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