November 28th 2024.
It has been announced today that the popular cooking show MasterChef will be airing festive specials later this year. Fans of the show will be glad to know that longtime host Gregg Wallace will still be appearing, despite recent allegations of misconduct that have surfaced.
The 60-year-old TV personality has decided to step away from his role as the investigation into the allegations continues. In a statement, MasterChef's production company Banijay has assured that Wallace is fully committed to cooperating with the process. His lawyers have also spoken out, denying any claims of inappropriate behavior, as reported by BBC News.
Further details have emerged, revealing that a total of 13 individuals have accused Wallace of making sexual comments, including former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, who appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011. Allegations include discussing his sex life openly, making suggestive comments to a female colleague, and even taking his shirt off in front of a female employee.
Despite the ongoing investigation, it has been confirmed that episodes of the show that have already been filmed will still be broadcasted. Wallace has been a staple on MasterChef for almost two decades, co-hosting with John Torode. The two will also be teaming up for two special holiday episodes: a celebrity Cook Off and a MasterChef meets Strictly extravaganza.
In the Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off, Wallace and Torode will be joined by guest judge Duncan James, last year's winner. The MasterChef meets Strictly special will see professional dancers Amy Dowden, Gorka Marquez, Kai Widdrington, and Nancy Xu competing in the kitchen, with Strictly's Motsi Mabuse as a guest judge.
Despite the controversy surrounding Wallace, all upcoming spin-offs of MasterChef, including the Professionals programme, will still be shown on the BBC as planned. A source has revealed that this was a relief for the network, especially given the proximity of these shows to Christmas Day. However, some viewers may be surprised to see Wallace still on their screens, considering his decision to step down.
The source also added that Wallace's every move and word on the show will likely be scrutinized in light of the allegations. This could make for uncomfortable viewing for BBC executives. The network has released a statement, stating that they take all complaints seriously and have processes in place to address them. They also made it clear that any behavior that goes against their standards will not be tolerated.
The BBC has also stated that they will continue to support the external production company in charge of MasterChef and will share any concerns or complaints with them. Metro has reached out to the BBC for further comment.
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