It’s good news for MasterChef fans.
It has reportedly been confirmed by the BBC that the cooking show will air for at least another four years. MasterChef’s future had been questioned after host Gregg Wallace stepped away from the show following complaints against him.
The 60-year-old TV presenter has been accused by 13 people of making inappropriate sexual remarks across several shows over a 17-year period. He has stepped away from his role hosting MasterChef as the complaints against him are investigated.
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Wallace has previously denied making inappropriate sexual comments and his lawyers told BBC News ‘it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature’. Wallace is also accused of groping individuals.
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Banijay UK, the production company behind MasterChef, has now confirmed the show will be shown on the BBC for at least four more years. Bectu, a union representing over 40,000 staff, contract and freelance workers in the media and entertainment industries, said Banijay UK had assured them that the show will continue to air.
In a statement, they said: “Following [the] terrible revelations about alleged unacceptable behaviour by Gregg Wallace, a number of MasterChef freelancers approached us, afraid of losing their jobs. We have been in urgent talks with producers, Banijay. The statement continued: “Today, we received positive news:
“Banijay has had ‘absolute confirmation from the BBC that they are fully committed to the current series [of MasterChef] and the show for at least the next 4 years. Filming will continue.
“We are delighted that Banijay and the BBC will stand by the talent behind MasterChef. We would urge anyone affected by the revelations to come forward in confidence, either to us, or to one of the many supportive groups involved.”
(Image: greggawallace/Instagram)
It comes after it was announced the BBC would be pulling two Christmas specials of MasterChef from air in the wake of the Gregg Wallace complaints scandal. The first special, a Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off, was due to feature The Wanted singer Max George, Emmerdale actress Amy Walsh, Love Island star Luca Bish and comedian Shazia Mira.
The second, titled MasterChef Meets Strictly Festive Extravaganza, had Strictly Come Dancing stars Amy Dowden, Gorka Marquez, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu, with Motsi Mabuse setting a challenge. However, the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned.
(Image: BBC/Shine TV)
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Banijay has stated Wallace is “committed to fully co-operating” with an external review of the historical complaints against him. A BBC spokesperson previously said: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.
“We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated. Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
