The BBC has announced it will pull its MasterChef Christmas specials amid an investigation into allegations by 13 individuals of sexually inappropriate comments made by host Gregg Wallace. Two Christmas specials of the cookery show were planned to air on BBC One later this month. But BBC News said on Tuesday afternoon the episodes would no longer be broadcast.
It represents a U-turn for the corporation, which previously said all filmed episodes of MasterChef would air as planned. It comes as fresh allegations of misconduct emerge against Wallace and pressure continues to mount on BBC bosses to axe MasterChef entirely. Despite criticism from public figures, including senior politicians, the BBC said the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals , which airs on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with Wallace as a judge, will still go ahead.
New claims have also been made against Wallace, including from TV presenter Melanie Sykes , who said an alleged remark made by him on Celebrity MasterChef forced her to quit television “once and for all”. Meanwhile, former MasterChef contestant Jackie Kearney told Sky News that Wallace made innuendos “constantly” during filming and was heard by crew members - and that one sexually inappropriate comment left her in tears..