MasterChef backlash as Gregg Wallace and John Torode return for final BBC series

The new series of MasterChef – with John Torode and Gregg Wallace at the helm – dropped on BBC iPlayer earlier today, ahead of tonight’s episode airing on BBC One (August 6).
However, after complaints were upheld against both of the hosts in a recent inquiry, the Corporation’s decision to air the series – albeit with John and Gregg’s parts drastically cut – has come in for some backlash.
Especially as some viewers reckon the show falls a bit flat now that the hosts’ banter has been removed…

Gregg Wallace returns with his final series of MasterChef tonight (Credit: BBC)

MasterChef scandal – what happened when?
Gregg Wallace stepped down from his hosting duties on MasterChef last November. A probe into numerous allegations about his behaviour was then launched.
Banijay UK, MasterChef’s production company, said an external review would be conducted. And, after that inquiry was completed, last month, Gregg was unceremoniously sacked from the show, and the BBC.
The report’s shocking findings included claims of inappropriate jokes and innuendos, sexually explicit remarks, unwanted touching, culturally insensitive or racist comments, and bullying behaviour. 45 of the allegations, span between 2005 to 2024 and relevant to his stint on MasterChef, were found to have been upheld.
John Torode then found himself dragged into the headlines, with an allegation that he used the N-word on set and at a post-show social event also upheld. He was then fired from the series.