MasterChef will air for at least another four years, it was confirmed today – following rumours it could be axed in the wake of the Gregg Wallace scandal.
The presenter announced he was stepping down from the primetime programme last month after multiple complaints about his behaviour.
This was followed by an avalanche of further claims in recent weeks, leaving MasterChef’s future hanging by a thread.
But following a period of intense uncertainly, production company Banijay has now confirmed that the programme will air on the BBC for at least four more years.
The major development was contained in a statement from Bectu, a union that represents more than 40,000 workers in the media and entertainment industries.
‘Following [the] terrible revelations about alleged unacceptable behaviour by Gregg Wallace, a number of MasterChef freelancers approached us, afraid of losing their jobs,’ the statement read.
‘We have been in urgent talks with producers, Banijay. 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.’
Gregg Wallace may be completely erased from the new series of MasterChef so it can be aired, MailOnline can reveal
Wallace had already filmed the forthcoming series for amateur chefs last month with his co-presenter John Torode , 59 (pictured)
‘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.’
The statement concluded by saying: ‘Bullying, harassment, unwanted sexual conduct or any behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable is unacceptable.
‘We will stand together and protect each other.’
A Banijay later confirmed to The Sun that the statement was ‘correct’.
The news follows MailOnline’s revelation that Wallace may be completely erased from the new series of MasterChef so it can be aired.
Wallace had already filmed the forthcoming series for amateur chefs last month with his co-presenter John Torode, 59. But the 60-year-old is now set to be wiped from the tapes before it is screened next year.
Despite the BBC insisting that the future of MasterChef will not be decided until the outcome of the investigation, a production insider told the MailOnline that the series is ‘salvageable’.
The source said that Torode and Wallace’s critiques, where they give feedback on the contestants’ food, were filmed separately.
They said: ‘John and Gregg were always shot with separate cameras. Any two shots, or wide shots containing the pair can be cut. Removing Gregg entirely is a difficult task, but not an impossible one.’
Last Friday, Australian chef Torode was flown overseas to continue filming the show, with Irish chef Anna Haugh stepping in to replace Wallace.
Filming on the forthcoming series was completed on Tuesday afternoon and had been due to be broadcast in Spring 2025.
It is now unclear when the BBC will air the recently recorded episodes.
Sources on set said ‘it couldn’t have gone better’, with one saying: ‘Considering the circumstances it has been seamless.’
‘We had the popular Anna Haugh, who has appeared on the show before, step in and give the contestants feedback alongside John.
‘The production team was committed to keeping the atmosphere on set as calm as possible for our amateur finalists.’
It would not be an unprecedented move for a BBC programme to erase its stars from the screen.
Wallace stood down from the show last week after a flurry of allegations of sexually inappropriate comments on set, which has sparked fears that the next series would have to be completely ditched
Last Friday, Australian chef Torode was flown overseas to continue filming the show, with Irish chef Anna Haugh (left) stepping in to replace Wallace (pictured centre)
In 2023 RuPaul’s Drag Race, a reality TV contest for drag queens, one contestant was airbrushed out after they were accused of inappropriate behaviour before the show aired.
While TV presenter Jay Blades, who was charged last month with the physical and emotional abuse of his wife, has not appeared in pre-recorded episodes of The Repair Shop which have broadcast since.
Last week Wallace stood down from Masterchef, after a BBC News investigation revealed allegations of the presenter’s sexually inappropriate behaviour on television sets over a 17-year period.
The former greengrocer has denied behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. But he is now subject to an external investigation by top London law firm Lewis Silkin, instructed by MasterChef production company Banijay.
Torode broke his silence on Wednesday, but declined to defend his television colleague of 19 years, and said he fully supports the probe into the claims of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour and language.
He said it had been ‘hard’ to keep working after hearing of the allegations.
On Thursday night, the BBC broadcast the semi-finals of MasterChef: The Professional, featuring Wallace. But it has scrapped the scheduled broadcast of two Christmas specials of the cookery show.