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The BBC has decided to pull its two MasterChef Christmas specials after sexual harassment allegations against presenter Gregg Wallace. It was previously stated on Monday that all episodes filmed would still be aired, including the festive specials. However, Wallace stood down from presenting after a BBC investigation released the previous week made allegations against him of inappropriate sexual comments and behaviour that was inappropriate, which his legal team denied. It is not clear whether the specials will be broadcast again in the future.
According to The Guardian newspaper, the celebrity contestants featured in the Christmas specials are being informed about the reasons behind the decision to pull the show. The BBC confirmed that three repeats of the television series, Inside the Factory, will not be shown on BBC Two in the lead up to Christmas. However, all content will be available on the BBC’s iPlayer without any changes.
The move to cancel the festive specials followed mounting pressure on the BBC to pause the broadcast of the series, although it was later announced all episodes already filmed would be aired. Rupa Huq, a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said the continued broadcast of MasterChef could be “triggering” for the women involved. A spokesperson for the corporation had stated that “MasterChef is life-changing for the chefs that take part and the show is about more than one individual.”
Wallace was accused by 13 people of making inappropriate sexual comments and showing inappropriate behaviour spanning over his 20 years as presenter of the BBC programme. Some contestants criticised him for telling stories and jokes of a “sexualised nature” in front of contestants and crew members, talking about his sex life, and for telling a junior female colleague he wasn’t wearing any underwear. Wallace apologised after suggesting “13 complaints” came from “middle-class women of a certain age”, but was criticised for his remarks by a Downing Street spokesperson.
Production company Banijay UK has launched an investigation into the allegations against Wallace, who is co-operating with the investigation. The BBC said it would “always listen if people want to make us aware of something directly”. The company has a duty of care and anti-harassment policy in place throughout all productions to support those who feel subjected to harassment.
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