The controversial new series of MasterChef, which is presented by sacked hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode, has aired on BBC One, leaving fans of the show torn.
The first three episodes of the 21st series were released on the streaming platform on Wednesday (6 August), with the BBC reporting that the new episodes will feature fewer jokes and chatter between the hosts and the chefs. Episode one also aired on BBC One at 8pm.
In the introductory scenes of episode one, Torode can be heard saying: “This is the sort of stuff that dreams are made of.” Wallace, meanwhile, can be seen telling a contestant: “That is a cracker of a job.”
However, there has been pushback from viewers, who, despite being fans of the show, feel uncomfortable about watching Wallace and Torode following the misconduct allegations against them.
One fan noted: “I’m split over watching MasterChef. I don’t want to be watching Wallace but I do love seeing people doing things they are so passionate about (the contestants, not hosts).”
Another wrote: “I’m glad they’re showing #MasterChef – after all the hard work they’ve put in, it’s only fair on the contestants that it’s aired. If you’re upset by Gregg and John… don’t watch. Simple.”
A third said: “I’m intrigued to see how they manage the edits… I’m a MasterChef fan –watch every episode and have my system set to record all in case I miss one. I feel conflicted on this one and it’s right that they’ve sacked the presenters given the background.”
And a fourth person remarked: “Just disgraceful that they are broadcasting this.”
Meanwhile, a fifth viewer said that it was “not acceptable” that the BBC was airing the show “just to keep the summer schedule filled”, stating that the “treatment of women” should have been prioritised.
Asked whether the new series of MasterChef should be shown, MP Lisa Nandy told BBC Breakfast: “It’s absolutely not for me, as the Culture Secretary and a member of the government, to tell broadcasters what they can and can’t broadcast.”
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However, Nandy said she “certainly won’t be watching this series”.
The Independent has contacted the BBC for comment.
In July, the BBC confirmed that the 2025 series of MasterChef, which was filmed in 2024 before allegations against Wallace and Torode were upheld, would be broadcast in August, adding that it had “not been an easy decision in the circumstances”.
The broadcaster added in their statement: “In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC.
“However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.”
In addition, the corporation said that a decision is yet to be made about Celebrity MasterChef and its Christmas specials, which are both presented by Torode and Grace Dent, the latter of whom replaced Wallace after he stepped away from the show.
Six amateur chefs feature in the first heat, and a message on the BBC media centre, alongside interviews with the contestants, states: “Please note this information is accurate at the time of filming, certain aspects may have since changed but this represents the contributors as the competition starts.”
It comes after one of the contestants, Sarah Shafi, agreed to be edited out of the series after objecting to it being broadcast. During an interview with The Guardian, the 57-year-old explained that, during a “heated conversation” with a producer, she was urged to think about the life-changing opportunity the show provided to some contestants.
In November 2024, it was announced that Wallace had stepped away from his role on the BBC cooking show while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated. In July, a statement from Banijay UK and the BBC said they had agreed that “Mr Wallace’s return to MasterChef is untenable”. This came after a review, published by the legal firm Lewis Silkin, upheld 45 of 83 allegations against the chef, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and one incident of unwelcome physical contact
Wallace issued an apology saying he was “deeply sorry for any distress caused” and that he “never set out to harm or humiliate”. Torode was the subject of one allegation about using racist language that was upheld as part of the review, but the TV star said he had “no recollection of the incident” and was “shocked and saddened” by the allegation.
The Independent understands that Wallace won’t feature in the new series after the semi-finals and will be replaced by Anna Haugh. The Irish chef, best known for hosting the BBC cookery show Big Irish Food Tour, has made appearances on Celebrity MasterChef in the past, and in 2022, she joined Wallace and Marcus Wareing as a judge for MasterChef: The Professionals.
