BBC will air new MasterChef series with sacked hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode

The BBC will broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef that was filmed before Gregg Wallace and John Torode were sacked for inappropriate behaviour.

Airing the series was the “right thing to do” for the cooks involved, the corporation said, adding that it will show on BBC One and iPlayer from 6 August.

The future of the series was thrown into doubt when Wallace was fired as a MasterChef host following an investigation that substantiated 45 complaints of misconduct against him. They were mostly claims of inappropriate sexual language, as well as one upheld allegation of “unwelcome physical contact”.

Torode also lost his job presenting the show when the same review upheld a complaint about him using a racist phrase

The BBC said it made it the decision to air the new series after “careful consideration and consultation with the contestants”.

“This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC.”

“However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.”

The BBC said it had not yet made a decision on the celebrity series and Christmas special.

It added: “Most importantly MasterChef is a brilliant, much-loved programme which is bigger than any one individual. There are many talented, dedicated and hard-working people who make the show what it is. It will continue to flourish on the BBC and we look forward to it returning stronger than ever in the future.”

Insiders said the BBC could have faced legal action from contestants who gave up their time and other work to commit to the show if it axed the amateur series.

Winners receive a major boost from the show’s broadcast, with previous champions using the exposure to launch restaurant and TV careers.

Last week Torode confirmed he was the subject of an allegation of using racist language that was upheld as part of a review carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin into the alleged behaviour of his co-presenter Wallace.

BBC News reported that Torode used the “n-word”, directing it a member of the crew.

Torode said he had “no recollection of the incident” and was “shocked and saddened” by the allegation.

Eight other complaints against him, including abusive language to junior production staff and sexual language, were not upheld.

In November 2024, MasterChef‘s production company, Banijay UK, announced Wallace would step away from his role on the cooking show while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated.

Wallace issued an apology saying he is “deeply sorry for any distress caused” and that he “never set out to harm or humiliate” in the wake of the Lewis Silkin report that saw 45 out of 83 allegations made against him upheld.

Last week, BBC Director-General Tim Davie said MasterChef “absolutely” has a future, insisting the show is “bigger than individuals”.

He said decisions on whether to air the recorded episodes would be influenced by the views of the amateur chefs who took part.

However those sensitivities may not apply to the Celebrity version, presented by Torode and food writer and podcaster Grace Dent.

The BBC axed the broadcast of two celebrity Christmas specials presented by Wallace last year saying they were “a different type of show” to the other MasterChef series.

Torode began presenting the BBC cooking contest alongside Gregg Wallace in 2005.