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The debut of a fresh series of MasterChef hit television screens, despite the recent dismissal of hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode due to upheld misconduct claims against them. The BBC opted to proceed with airing this year’s amateur series as a gesture of support for the participating chefs, but the decision faced criticism from various groups such as broadcast union Bectu, who condemned the showcasing of bad behavior in a prime-time slot.
Although Wallace and Torode make appearances in the initial moments of the new series, the dynamic between them and the chefs is notably subdued compared to previous seasons. In an unusual move, one of the chefs has been omitted from the series at their own request following the allegations against the former hosts. The initial episodes have already been made available on iPlayer, with the official premiere scheduled to air on BBC One.
In contrast to previous seasons where Wallace and Torode had a significant presence throughout the episodes, the new series appears to focus more on the contestants. The first episode features both hosts guiding the contestants through challenges, tasting dishes, and moderating the competition, but with a noticeable reduction in the usual banter. The show’s delayed start in August, as opposed to the typical April launch, may impact viewership numbers. The series is set to run three times a week until the finals.
Amid mounting pressure for the BBC to reconsider airing the series, one contestant revealed she was edited out after voicing her objection to its broadcast. The decision to air the show was met with criticism from various quarters, including Bectu and women’s rights organizations, who expressed concern over the message being sent to complainants. Despite acknowledging the severity of the upheld allegations against the hosts, the BBC defended its choice to air the series, citing support from the participating chefs and a desire to recognize their efforts. The controversy surrounding MasterChef originated from misconduct claims against Wallace, and a subsequent report by Banijay confirmed several complaints against him, as well as a separate upheld complaint against Torode for alleged racist language on set
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