BBC bosses have announced that the MasterChef Christmas specials have been pulled from the TV schedule after co-host Gregg Wallace stepped back from the show.
The 60-year-old presenter is facing accusations of using inappropriate sexual comments during his time on several BBC cooking shows.
He has also been accused of using racial slurs on the long-running show – and at least 13 women have stepped forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct.
The dad-of-three has vehemently denied all allegations against him, with his lawyers insisting: “It is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”
Since his exit hit the headlines, the broadcaster has received backlash from fans for continuing to air the current season of MasterChef: The Professionals during an investigation into the claims.
But on Tuesday (December 3), the flagship channel confirmed that the planned festive specials of MasterChef will no longer air over Christmas.
Now, TV bosses have confirmed that a replacement show has been given the green light to take its spot on the seasonal schedule in the countdown to Christmas.
On Monday, December 23, Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off has been replaced with an episode of Celeb Escape to the Country. And on Monday, December 30, MasterChef Meets Strictly Festive Extravaganza has been replaced with Repair Schop Favourite Fixes.
The BBC has faced a strong backlash for deciding to continue airing MasterChef: The Professionals – which will roll out on BBC One this week and next.
A BBC spokesperson has justified the decision, telling The Sun: “As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned.
Don't miss...
'Gutted' Emmerdale star shares MasterChef experience as show yanked off air [INSIGHT]
'I'm a huge BBC star – Gregg Wallace's key error will ruin chances of comeback' [OPINON]
MasterChef star says ‘Christmas is cancelled’ after BBC pulls celebrity special [LATEST]
“The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them.”
Labour MP Rupa Huq had suggested that airing MasterChef could be “triggering” for some women who have made serious allegations against Mr Wallace. She argued that pulling the episode would send a strong message and show that the BBC was taking the situation seriously.
On Sunday (December 1), the former greengrocer fiercely defended himself against the allegations, blaming “middle-class women of a certain age” for his crisis.
It didn’t take long before viewers hit back at the BBC’s decision and the presenter’s controversial comments online. One user fumed: “As a #MiddleClassWomanOfACertainAge paying the license fee in this household, @BBCOne shouldn’t be showing #MasterChef @MasterChefUK this evening.”
Another added: “Shame Gregg Wallace couldn’t be edited out, even a bit” as a further echoed: “No acknowledgement whatsoever.”
A third fumed: “After the revelations of the last few days, I’m finding Gregg Wallace more irritating than usual” as another quipped: “Warning: this programme may contain traces of Gregg Wallace.”
The broadcaster has since apologised for his post, insisting: “I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday, and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people.
“I wasn’t in a good headspace when I posted it. I’ve been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion. I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it.
“It’s obvious to me I need to take some time out now while this investigation is underway. I hope you understand and I do hope you accept this apology.”
