MasterChef’s latest episode was allowed to air by the BBC last night, leaving some fans furious after host Gregg Wallace’s recent remarks regarding the accusations made against him.
At least 13 people, including newsreader Kirtsy Wark, have come forward to accuse Wallace of inappropriate “sexual” behaviour.
In a statement, a BBC spokesperson said the airing of the cooking competition’s semi-final will go ahead, airing yesterday at 9pm on BBC One.
The spokesperson said: “MasterChef is life-changing for the chefs that take part and the show is about more than one individual.”
MasterChef is one of the BBC’s flagship cooking show’s and, with four episodes remaining in the current series, would leave a sizeable hole in the broadcaster’s festive schedule if they were to be pulled.
During the semi-final, the chefs were challenged to concoct an innovative meal incorporating every one of their ingredients.
During the show, Wallace asked contestant Gaston how to say “goodbye” in Greek after he decided to cook a Greek dish.
Audiences tuning in couldn’t miss the irony of Wallace asking for the Greek word for goodbye amid his departure from the show.
The Masterchef semi-final aired last night
BBC
One viewer quipped: “He’s just asked how to say goodbye in Greek, classic.”
Another remarked: “‘How do I say goodbye in Greek’ Definitely various forms of goodbye are going to come in useful.”
Wallace’ lawyers have previously said: “It is entirely false that he (Wallace) engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”
However, Banijay UK, MasterChef’s production company, has said it is “committed to fully co-operating throughout the process” and called on anyone who has a complaint against Wallace to come forward.
With that in mind, do you think it’s right for the BBC to keep the current MasterChef series on air? Have your say by voting in our poll above.