As John Torode and Gregg Wallace are sacked from BBC’s MasterChef, what do we know about the future of the show?
Wallace, 60, was officially sacked after the bombshell Silkins review, commissioned by MasterChef production company Banijay UK, upheld 45 out of 83 allegations against him, including a case of ‘unwelcome physical contact’.
Torode, 59, has followed him on the way out after confirming that an allegation of racist language included in the report was against him, although he has no recollection of the incident.
In a statement released today, the BBC revealed Banijay would not be renewing Torode’s contract, meaning that the co-presenters have both been booted from the cooking reality series.
This latest bombshell comes as the BBC was set to decide what to do with the already recorded new season of the show, series 21, since it still featured Wallace.
Now, with both of them gone, this may put more than just the pre-recorded season at stake.
Prior to Torode’s sacking, BBC director-general Tim Davie spoke about if it would stick around beyond 2028 (which is as long as the show has been renewed with the broadcaster for now)
Discussing whether it had a future at the release of the BBC’s annual report, he said: ‘I absolutely think it does, I think a great programme that’s loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals.
‘It absolutely can survive and prosper, but we’ve got to make sure we’re in the right place in terms of the culture of the show.’
In the same discussion, he said ‘action would have to be taken’ after Torode confirmed on Instagram that he was the subject of a racist language allegation, with the TV chef being sacked not long after.
On the unreleased season, Davie added: ‘Those amateur chefs gave a lot to take part, it means a lot, it can be an enormous break if you come through the show.
‘So I want to just reflect on that with the team and make a decision, and we’ll communicate that in due course.’
A timeline of allegations against Gregg Wallace
2005 to 2011
A report by law firm Lewis Silkin found there were 27 substantiated claims against Wallace relating to alleged incidents during this period, most of which related to sexually explicit comments.
One allegation of unwanted physical contact during this timeframe was also substantiated.
The report found that when concerns were reported to the production company during this period, there was a failure to retain records of any action taken.
2012 to 2018
The report found that 17 upheld allegations relate to this period.
In 2015, the production company behind MasterChef investigated an allegation about Wallace’s behaviour, but he was not made aware of the complaint.
The following year, the production company merged with Endemol, and more formal policies, regular training, and anonymous reporting lines were introduced.
The BBC intervened in response to a complaint in 2017, following which Wallace was warned of the need to change his behaviour.
2019 to 2024
One substantiated complaint about an inappropriate comment fell into this period.
November 2024
Wallace faced allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a range of shows over 17 years, BBC News reported.
The TV star stepped away from presenting MasterChef while Banijay, the show’s production company, announced that it was conducting an external review to ‘fully and impartially investigate’ the claims.
BBC News said allegations include the presenter ‘talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to “give her a fashion show”, and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans’.
The charity Ambitious About Autism said it had dropped Wallace as an ambassador, citing the ‘recent allegations’.
Banijay UK confirmed it appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into Wallace’s alleged behaviour.
December 2024
Wallace said in a video posted to Instagram that accusations about him making sexual comments towards staff and guests have come from ‘middle-class women of a certain age’.
Downing Street said Wallace’s response to the accusations being made against him was ‘inappropriate and misogynistic’.
A spokesperson added that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had held talks with BBC bosses in the wake of the Wallace row.
Following the backlash, Wallace apologised for any ‘offence’ or ‘upset’ he caused with his remarks and said he would ‘take some time out’.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said politicians should be ready to put in place ‘mechanisms’ that would instil ‘confidence’ that women will be taken seriously in reports of inappropriate behaviour after a Labour MP asked him about ‘women of a certain age’, reflecting comments Wallace apologised for.
MasterChef co-presenter John Torode said in a social media post that he ‘loves being part of’ the programme and ‘will continue to be a part of it’.
April 2025
Wallace told the Daily Mail he ‘thought about suicide all the time’ after allegations of misconduct were made against him.
July 8-9, 2025
Wallace was sacked as MasterChef presenter following the inquiry into his alleged misconduct by production company Banijay.
BBC News said it had not seen the final review from Banijay but understood the presenter had been sacked.
In an Instagram post, the former greengrocer claimed he had been cleared of the ‘most serious and sensational accusations’ ahead of the published review.
He also said he recognised that some of his humour and language were inappropriate ‘at times’ and apologised for this.
July 14, 2025
The report by law firm Lewis Silkin for Banijay is published.
It says that a total of 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Wallace during his time on the show were substantiated, including one allegation of ‘unwelcome physical contact’.
It concludes that the ‘majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour’, adding that ‘a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated’.
In the wake of the report’s findings, Banijay say that ‘Wallace’s return to MasterChef (is) untenable’.
Speaking to BBC News earlier today, he also said he was using this as an opportunity to reset.
‘It’s really important that we are taking this seriously. It’s a reset where we make sure that people are living up to the values we expect across the board,’ the 58-year-old said.
Following his firing, Torode (who has co-hosted the show since 2005) released a statement on Instagram claiming he had had no say in his exit.
As for what to expect from the episodes he has already filmed, he said: ‘Celebrity MasterChef which I recently filmed with Grace Dent [Wallace’s replacement] along with two fantastic Christmas specials will be my last.’
If the show goes on, the question remains as to who will take over from Torode and Wallace.
Irish Chef Anna Haugh stepped in for Wallace to finish filming the new season while Dent is helming Celebrity Masterchef as what is reportedly set to be a permanent replacement.
Metro has reached out to the BBC for comment.
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