TV union and women's group call for this year's MasterChef to be shelved

The Guardian

4 days ago

The BBC is facing mounting pressure to scrap this year's series of MasterChef after the sacking of presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode.
The heads of the broadcast union Bectu and a leading women's rights organisation have joined those calling for the series to be shelved, arguing that it would cause distress to the people who had made complaints about the two men.
Last week the BBC said it would broadcast a series of MasterChef featuring Wallace and Torode, which was filmed before the presenters were dropped after allegations about their behaviour were upheld.
The corporation said it was not 'an easy decision', but argued that it was the 'right thing to do' for the amateur chefs who had taken part, adding that the show's producers had spoken to contestants about airing the programme.
But on Friday the head of the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union, Philippa Childs, said the BBC should reconsider its decision.
'Whilst the BBC claims that it has consulted with contestants there appears to have been no consultation with complainants; freelancers who have taken the very difficult step of speaking out and who will legitimately feel distressed,' she told BBC News. 'If [the BBC] are serious about addressing this industry-wide problem, broadcasters should not reward bad behaviour with primetime coverage.'
Penny East, the chief executive of the Fawcett Society, suggested it would be better to edit the presenters out entirely. 'Seeing Gregg Wallace on our screens will be deeply uncomfortable for many people, not least the brave women who have spoken about his appalling behaviour,' she said.
'It can't be right that men who sexually harass women continue to be given a platform and allowed to maintain their profile and power.'
Wallace was dropped by the BBC after an independent report substantiated 45 allegations made against him, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and one incident of unwelcome physical contact. He has apologised 'for any distress caused' and said the report cleared him of 'the most serious and sensational accusations'.
Torode was dropped as a presenter after he said he was the subject of a substantiated complaint over the use of racist language, which he believes never happened.
On Thursday the Guardian revealed that one of the contestants from the latest series of MasterChef has been edited out of the programme, after telling its producers she did not want the show to be broadcast.
Sarah Shafi, from Leeds, said she told the show's producers that airing it would send the wrong message about the treatment of women.
She said she initially rejected an offer by MasterChef's producers, Banijay, to edit her out of her episode. The 57-year-old agreed to be removed once the BBC announced it had decided to broadcast the series from 6 August.
'I didn't say edit me out,' she said. 'I said: 'Axe the show, don't air the show. I'm asking you not to air the show.' Prominent figures have been abusing their power. What message does that send out to women?'
One former MasterChef worker who said she had been groped by Wallace told BBC News the decision to broadcast the series showed 'a blatant disregard for the people who have come forward'.
Another person who worked on the show, and who said Wallace pulled his trousers down in front of her, said the decision to air the series was 'profoundly disrespectful' to people who had made complaints. 'It ultimately sends a message that such behaviour can be overlooked,' she said.