BBC Withdraws MasterChef Christmas Specials Amid Wallace Allegations

The BBC has withdrawn its MasterChef Christmas specials following allegations of inappropriate sexual comments against presenter Gregg Wallace. The broadcaster had previously stated on Monday that all pre-recorded MasterChef episodes, encompassing the festive editions, were scheduled for broadcast as initially intended. Mr. Wallace withdrew from his presenting role last week, subsequent to a BBC News investigation that brought to light allegations of inappropriate sexual comments and inappropriate conduct directed at him. Legal representatives for Mr. Wallace have refuted claims that he engages in sexually harassing behavior. Two special Christmas episodes had been planned, both slated for broadcast on BBC One later in the current month. It is understood that discussions are underway with the celebrity participants of the Christmas special regarding the rationale for the program’s cancellation. A spokesperson for the BBC commented: “As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned.“The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them.” In a press release distributed on Friday, the BBC had informed viewers they could “expect fireworks, great Christmas banter and good food”. The initial special, titled Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off, was to feature The Wanted singer Max George, Emmerdale actor Amy Walsh, reality star Luca Bish, and comedian Shazia Mirza. The second special, named MasterChef Meets Strictly Festive Extravaganza, was scheduled to include Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden, Gorka Marquez, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu, with Motsi Mabuse assigned to present a challenge. Three repeated episodes from an earlier series of Inside the Factory, a program also presented by Mr. Wallace, will no longer be broadcast on BBC Two in the period leading up to Christmas, according to the BBC spokesperson. No alterations will be made to iPlayer content. On Monday, the BBC faced increasing pressure to contemplate suspending MasterChef during the ongoing investigation into Mr. Wallace. Rupa Huq MP, a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, stated that the continued airing of MasterChef might be “triggering” for the women concerned. However, the BBC later that day confirmed that all recorded MasterChef episodes, including the Christmas specials, would be broadcast as planned. “MasterChef is life-changing for the chefs that take part and the show is about more than one individual,” a BBC source commented on Monday afternoon. On Monday evening, the most recent installment of MasterChef: The Professionals was aired on BBC One. Nevertheless, on Tuesday, a shift in stance was announced, revealing that the festive specials would now not be broadcast. This development occurred after Mr. Wallace issued an apology for implying that the allegations against him originated from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”. The television presenter had stated on Sunday that there were “13 complaints” among “over 4,000 contestants” with whom he had collaborated over 20 years on the BBC cookery program. His remarks elicited a strong negative reaction, prompting a Downing Street spokesperson to characterize them as “inappropriate and misogynistic”. In a new video uploaded to his Instagram story on Monday, he stated: “I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday, and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people.” He continued: “I wasn’t in a good head space when I posted it. I’ve been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion, I felt very alone, under siege, yesterday, when I posted it.” He concluded by saying: “It’s obvious to me I need to take some time out while this investigation is under way. I hope you understand and I do hope that you will accept this apology.” A BBC News investigation gathered testimonies from 13 individuals of varying ages, who had been involved with five distinct programs. The production company Banijay UK announced it has initiated an investigation, with which Mr. Wallace is cooperating, while the BBC has affirmed its commitment to “always listen if people want to make us aware of something directly”. Among those who have presented allegations against Mr. Wallace is former BBC Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, who stated he recounted stories and jokes of a “sexualised nature” in the presence of contestants and crew during her appearance on Celebrity MasterChef. Additional allegations reported include Mr. Wallace openly discussing his sex life, removing his shirt in front of a female employee while stating he wished to “give her a fashion show”, and informing a junior female colleague that he was not wearing boxer shorts beneath his jeans. BBC News has also interviewed a former MasterChef employee who claims he displayed topless photographs of himself to her and requested massages, as well as a former worker on Channel 5’s Gregg Wallace’s Big Weekends, who states he expressed fascination with her dating women and inquired about the practicalities of such relationships. A different female employee on MasterChef in 2019 alleges Mr. Wallace discussed his sex life; a female worker at the BBC Good Food Show in 2010 claims Mr. Wallace stared at her chest; and a male worker on MasterChef between 2005 and 2006 states Mr. Wallace frequently uttered sexually explicit comments on set. Conversely, some employees have recounted more favorable interactions with Mr. Wallace. A former worker on Inside the Factory informed the BBC that he frequently made “dad jokes” but that his behavior did not escalate further. A former MasterChef employee stated that nothing during her tenure there was cause for concern. Another individual mentioned she perceived no malicious intent in his comments, though she acknowledged why some might have experienced discomfort. Mr. Wallace has also shared comments on social media from previous contestants who expressed positive recollections of their professional interactions with him. He has not yet responded to interview requests from BBC News.