MasterChef contestant edited out of 'uncomfortable' new series takes jab at hosts
A contestant on the upcoming series of MasterChef who asked to be edited out of the show after objecting to it airing over allegations against Gregg Wallace and John Torode has spoken out about her experiences while filming.
In an interview on Good Morning Britain with Kate Garraway and Ed Balls this morning, contestant Sarah Shafi claimed she felt "uncomfortable" while filming the series which is set to air this week.
Earlier this month, Wallace and Torode were both officially sacked from MasterChef after law firm Lewis Silkin upheld 45 out of 85 complaints against Wallace of inappropriate behaviour.
It was later announced that Torode's contract would not be renewed following an upheld complaint of racist language against him - which he's said he has no recollection of. It comes after John Torode's wife Lisa Faulkner breaks her silence after his MasterChef sacking.
Sarah, who says she believes the show shouldn't have gone ahead at all, told Kate Garraway and Ed Balls: "For me, it didn't feel as faithful to the food as I thought it would be. At the same time, I felt uncomfortable around the presenters.
"It was a big deal to me. I'm an older woman, or a woman of that certain age and you can spot that kind of 'creep' and you think, 'I'll just get on with it.'" Continuing, Sarah said: "After I left the show, the main thing I felt was relief."
Continuing the conversation about whether the show should continue to air, Ed said: "The annoying thing is, that it would have been better if they kept you in the show, and cut out Gregg Wallace and John Torode and put in some other presenter instead. I guess they felt they couldn't do that without undermining the integrity of the whole show."
Shafi herself suggested the whole series be cut, although she said she wasn't given a reason why that couldn't happen, "other than it could be life changing for all the contestants."
A spokesperson for Banijay said: "We have no record of Sarah raising concerns with producers at the time of filming, however when raised during the formal investigation process we thoroughly assessed her claims, including reviewing relevant programme rushes.
"These do not support her versions of events regarding inappropriate comments or actions by Gregg Wallace which Sarah has acknowledged."
A spokesperson for the BBC said: "As we said when we announced the show would be aired, this was not an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone would agree with it. Banijay consulted with all the contestants before that decision was made and there was widespread support for it going ahead.
"We are sorry that this contestant does not support the decision and we are grateful she raised this with both the BBC and Banijay." The Mirror has reached out to Banijay for comment.
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