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Viewers are ‘refusing to watch’ the first new episodes of Gregg Wallace and John Torode’s MasterChef series after it was released on BBC iPlayer following their sacking.
Last month, the BBC confirmed that they would release the unaired series following an independent review that upheld 45 out of the 83 allegations against Wallace and a racial language allegation against co-star Torode.
The corporation deliberated whether or not to air it, but ultimately decided it was the ‘right thing to do’ for the cooks to be ‘properly recognised’.
The first three episodes of the 21st series were added to iPlayer early on Wednesday morning ahead of the first episode appearing on BBC One at 8pm.
Both presenters can be seen in the introduction shots of episode one, as Torode says: ‘This is the sort of stuff that dreams are made of’, while Wallace tells a contestant ‘that is a cracker of a job’.
However, commenting on social media, many fans voiced their disapproval.
Taking to X, @kiddinme wrote: ‘Won’t be watching anymore after all these years.’
@phillycurlywigs added: ‘Why is this on BBC 1 after what’s happened? I get it’s far to contestants but stick it only on iPlayer not prime time otherwise what’s the point of you sacking them?’
@gaulmoylestown also said: ‘Nope, after 20+ years of viewing and enjoying contestants journeys with @GreggAWallace & @JohnTorode1 not for me anymore, goodbye @MasterChefUK.’
But while many fans vented their frustrations, some were more optimistic, explaining that they were still planning on watching the new series.
@Julybird wrote: ‘Thank you for showing it, one of my favourite things to watch on TV. I will put to the back of my mind the presenters and enjoy the efforts of the contestants which is what the show is all about.’
@Elizabe87334323 also commented: ‘I’ll be watching, regardless, because those contestants deserve to have their series aired.
The BBC is yet to make a decision regarding whether to air the celebrity series and the Christmas special.
In November 2024 it was announced that Wallace would step away from his role on the BBC cooking show while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated.
Following the report from Banijay UK last month, Wallace issued an apology saying he was ‘deeply sorry for any distress caused’ and that he ‘never set out to harm or humiliate’ in the wake of the Lewis Silkin review
Discussing his allegation of using racist language, Torode also said he had ‘no recollection of the incident’ and was ‘“’shocked and saddened’ by the allegation.
Towards the end of last month, a MasterChef contestant claimed she was ‘pressured’ by the BBC to be edited out of the upcoming series.
Sarah Shafi, a leadership and management development partner for St John Ambulance from Leeds, was a contestant for the 21st series.
However, during an appearance on Newsnight she claimed she was ‘coerced’ into being edited out in order for the series to go ahead.
She said: ‘I felt I was being pressurised into saying yes [to the programme going ahead]. They were saying, “These people’s lives have been changed,” well, some people’s lives. There were 50 contestants, I’m one of them, my life hasn’t changed, so it’s probably the top 10 people.’
She continued: ‘I felt like I was being coerced into saying, “Yes, go ahead then, go on then.”’
Speaking on Good Morning Britain last week, she then discussed her experience alongside Wallace, saying: ‘It wasn’t a big deal for me. I’m an older woman and a woman of that certain age, and I can kind of spot that creep, and you just go, I’ll just get on with it.
‘After I left the show, I think the main thing I felt was relief.’
The new season of MasterChef is available to watch on BBC iPlayer or tonight at 8pm.
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