BBC pull brand new episodes featuring Gregg Wallace.
The BBC has had to rewrite its Christmas TV schedules after the corporation decided to axe new episodes of Celebrity Masterchef.
Last week, Wallace stepped down from presenting his show following a BBC News investigation that uncovered allegations of inappropriate comments and behavior. Wallace’s lawyers have denied any claims of sexually harassing conduct.
Two planned Christmas specials, originally set to air on BBC One later this month, have now been canceled. According to reports, the celebrity participants in the specials are being informed about the decision to withdraw the programs from the schedule.
A BBC spokesperson stated: “As we have said, MasterChef is an extraordinary competition that transforms the lives of the chefs involved. The current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned. However, the celebrity Christmas specials are a different format, and given the current circumstances, we have decided not to broadcast them.”
In a press release issued last Friday, the BBC had promoted the specials, promising “fireworks, festive banter, and great food.” One of the specials, Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off, was to feature Max George of The Wanted, Emmerdale actor Amy Walsh, reality star Luca Bish, and comedian Shazia Mirza. The other, MasterChef Meets Strictly Festive Extravaganza, was set to include Strictly Come Dancing stars Amy Dowden, Gorka Marquez, Kai Widdrington, and Nancy Xu, with Motsi Mabuse hosting a challenge.
The BBC also confirmed that three planned reruns of an older series, Inside the Factory, will no longer air on BBC Two as part of the festive schedule, but there will be no changes to iPlayer content.
On Monday, the BBC faced growing criticism, with Rupa Huq MP, a member of the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee, suggesting that continuing to air MasterChef during the investigation could be distressing for the women involved.
Despite this, the BBC initially stated that all episodes already filmed, including the Christmas specials, would be broadcast. “MasterChef is life-changing for the chefs who participate, and the show is about more than one individual,” a BBC source said at the time.
However, in a reversal on Tuesday, it was announced that the festive specials would no longer air. The latest episode of MasterChef: The Professionals was broadcast as scheduled on Monday night and is due to continue tonight.
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