Latest MasterChef series to be scrapped completely as BBC ‘whitewash' Gregg Wallace from show's history

The Sun

17 hours ago

GREGG Wallace could be whitewashed from MasterChef history — as the BBC weighs up binning his entire final series.
Episodes filmed last summer had been shelved while production firm Banijay completed its probe into the TV chef's behaviour.
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But now the run of shows, which featured civilian cooks having their culinary efforts assessed, is set to be canned completely.
It is news that could send furious Wallace to a tribunal as The Sun understands that he will receive no payout from the BBC.
We can also reveal the shamed chef is also threatening to make an Ofcom complaint against BBC News over its coverage of him.
A source said last night: 'The investigation into Gregg is yet to be published but when he released his own statement on Tuesday it sparked a wave of events.
'One has been escalating the issue of how to handle the 'lost' series of MasterChef, which Gregg filmed last summer before all this began.
'It had been shelved whilst the investigation was underway but now bosses are aware they need to make a decision as there are contributors to consider.
"Bosses are inclined to can the whole thing, but that would also mean binning the time — and hopes — poured into making the show by those plucky amateur chefs.
'Another option is installing the series on iPlayer only, so viewers would 'elect' to stream it, with their understanding that it included Gregg. Editing him out is not an option.
'Either way it's a major headache for the BBC, and would be a final crushing blow for Gregg.'
Wallace appears in the series until the finale, at which point he stood aside amid reports of inappropriate behaviour at work.
Gregg Wallace offers advice to fans for £200
The BBC's director general Tim Davie will make a decision on the subject in days.
Meanwhile, it is understood Wallace has not been offered any form of pay-out since his axing.
The seven-month external probe into 30 historical complaints against him — which was followed by 50 new claims following a fresh BBC News investigation published on Tuesday — is due to be published tomorrow.
A source added that Wallace is said to be furious with the BBC News coverage — accusing it of a 'witch-hunt' as he claims the new allegations were actually dealt with in the report by external lawyers Lewis Silkin.
They said: 'He plans on making a formal complaint to Ofcom and believes he has a case.'
Wallace had hosted Masterchef alongside John Torode since 2005 and has also fronted other BBC programmes including Inside the Factory and Supermarket Secrets.
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In late 2024 it was reported the BBC had been made aware of complaints as far back as 2017, while it was claimed that a letter had been sent to the broadcaster in 2022 stating that women had been made to feel 'uncomfortable' in his presence.
However, The Sun revealed yesterday Wallace has been cleared of a number of the most serious allegations, including those against high profile complainants such as broadcaster Kirsty Wark and 2021 contestant Penny Lancaster.
Gregg Wallace - MasterChef scandal in Brief
GREGG Wallace has stepped down from his MasterChef hosting role after a probe into alleged inappropriate behaviour. But what's the situation?
Regular MasterChef host Gregg Wallace is currently the subject of a probe after an investigation was launched into his alleged misconduct over a number of years.
Gregg has been accused of making sexual remarks to 13 colleagues including Beeb anchor Kirsty Wark - accusations he denies.
The 60-year-old has now stepped away from the BBC show while historical misconduct allegations against him are investigated.
Yet the former greengrocer spoke out on social media to blast the "women of a certain age" who he claimed were behind the allegations.
The cooking show's production company, Banijay UK, has said law firm Lewis Silkin would lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged misconduct.
While he angrily slammed the BBC in his Instagram post on Tuesday, promising 'not to go quietly', the BBC have been keen to distance themselves from him.
A source adds: 'The BBC are adamant in making clear that Gregg was a Banijay employee, not a BBC one — despite the fact he was pretty synonymous with the corporation.
'But, at the same time, with so many people coming forward the BBC is also under enormous pressure to show it's serious about protecting staff and making widespread cultural changes to look after staff.'
A BBC spokesman said last night: 'Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace.
'We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.'
COMIC Jack Dee branded Wallace a 'bald knob' during Radio 4 show I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue — just hours before news of his sacking on Tuesday.
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