BBC cooking show returns with sacked hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode

MasterChef has returned to TV screens with the launch of a brand new collection that was filmed earlier than hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode have been sacked.The pair have been each fired final month after a report into conduct on the cooking present upheld allegations in opposition to them.The BBC determined to nonetheless present this 12 months’s newbie collection, saying it was “the appropriate factor to do” for the cooks who took half. But it surely confronted a backlash from some teams, together with broadcast union Bectu, which mentioned dangerous behaviour “shouldn’t be rewarded with prime-time protection”.Each presenters seem inside the first minute of the brand new collection, which launched on BBC iPlayer on Wednesday morning, however there are fewer jokes than normal and fewer chat between them and the cooks.One of many cooks has additionally been edited out after asking for the brand new collection to not be broadcast following claims in opposition to the 2 hosts.The primary three episodes have been launched on iPlayer, with the collection opener to be broadcast on BBC One at 20:00 BST.In earlier years, Wallace and Torode have been a near-constant presence all through the episodes.And within the first episode of the brand new collection, each presenters seem from the outset and all through.They welcome the brand new contestants, introduce the challenges, interview the cooks whereas they prepare dinner, announce when “time’s up”, and style the dishes.However there are fewer jokes, with the standard banter between the presenters and the cooks showing to have been lowered.It’s thought there would have been limitations on how a lot Wallace and Torode may very well be edited out, however that the main focus can be positioned on the contestants.Six cooks function within the first episode, with the following episodes set to introduce a brand new set of contestants.This 12 months’s collection is beginning a lot later than normal, in August, in contrast with the previous couple of years which started in April, which might have an effect on viewing figures.The collection runs for 3 days every week till the finals.Final week, one of many contestants on the brand new collection of MasterChef mentioned she was edited out after asking for it to not be broadcast.Sarah Shafi instructed BBC Newsnight that “in a great world, what would have occurred is that it could have been axed” out of respect to these individuals whose complaints had been upheld.Her feedback got here because the BBC confronted mounting stress to rethink airing the collection.Bectu mentioned that freelancers whose complaints had been upheld would “undoubtedly be triggered” by the choice to air the collection, whereas a number one ladies’s rights charity warned many individuals would really feel “deeply uncomfortable” to see the present on their TV screens.A few of the ladies who made allegations in opposition to Gregg Wallace have additionally instructed BBC Information that they didn’t suppose it ought to be aired, with one saying it confirmed “a blatant disregard for the individuals who have come ahead”.The BBC beforehand mentioned it had not been “a straightforward choice” to run the collection, including that there was “widespread assist” among the many cooks for it going forward.“In displaying the collection, which was filmed final 12 months, it on no account diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings in opposition to each presenters,” it mentioned.”Nevertheless, we consider that broadcasting this collection is the appropriate factor to do for these cooks who’ve given a lot to the method. We wish them to be correctly recognised and provides the viewers the selection to look at the collection.”The controversy over MasterChef began final 12 months, when BBC Information first revealed claims of misconduct in opposition to Gregg Wallace.In July, a report by the present’s manufacturing firm Banijay revealed that greater than 40 complaints in opposition to Wallace had been upheld, together with one in every of unwelcome bodily contact and one other three of being in a state of undress.He has insisted he was cleared of “essentially the most severe and sensational allegations”.The upheld grievance in opposition to Torode associated to a severely offensive racist time period allegedly used on the set of MasterChef in 2018.The presenter mentioned he had “no recollection” of it and that any racist language is “wholly unacceptable”.Extra reporting by Emmanuella Alausa.