![\"Gregg](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Screenshot-2025-08-06-at-085023.jpg\")
Prominent: Gregg Wallace and John Torode are still front and centre of Masterchef(Image: BBC)<\/p>\nAnger is growing over John Torode and Gregg Wallace still featuring prominently in Masterchef from women who complained about his behaviour as part of the review into the show<\/p>\n
17:38, 08 Aug 2025Updated 17:49, 08 Aug 2025<\/p>\n
Prominent: Gregg Wallace and John Torode are still front and centre of Masterchef(Image: BBC)<\/p>\n
Women who complained about Gregg Wallace <\/a>are said to be furious that he and John Torode <\/a>still have a prominent role in the new series of MasterChef<\/a>. It comes amid claims they were not consulted over the pair appearing in the shows, which started this week but were filmed before the BBC<\/a> axed the hosts.<\/p>\n Only the contestants were asked if they wanted the show to go ahead. Wallace was sacked after 41 of the 83 complaints against him were upheld in a review including one of unwelcome physical contact and three of being in a state of undress<\/a>. Torode\u2019s contract was not renewed by production company Banijay UK amid allegations he used racist language,which he denies.<\/p>\n One source said: \u201cThere is a feeling the complainants have been ignored and cast aside. It\u2019s the BBC burying their head in the sand all over again. There is a lot and lot of anger over this. WhatsApp<\/a> groups are blowing up.\u201d<\/p>\n Broadcasting union Bectu <\/a>slammed the decision to air the series with Wallace and Torode \u201cfront and centre\u201d and minimal editing. Its chief Philippa Childs said: \u201cThe BBC\u2019s decision to broadcast as normal has been incredibly divisive and risks terminally \u00adundermining the MasterChef brand.<\/p>\n \u201cMany viewers will have been left with a bad taste in their mouth made worse seeing two celebrities who have had serious complaints upheld against them given prime time coverage. It is clear the BBC did not consult with complainants before making their \u00addecision and has not given due weight to the impact it has had on those affected. Broadcasters should not be rewarding bad behaviour with prime time coverage.”<\/p>\n BBC star Kirsty Wark<\/a>, who was on MasterChef in 2011, said this week: \u201cFor people who weren\u2019t heard at the time if they did speak up and for people who were involved it will be very tough.\u201d<\/p>\n The long-running cooking programme returned to screens on Wednesday, with a drop in viewing figures. It was watched by 1.96 million people \u2013 down from the 2.73m who watched last year\u2019s opening show<\/a>.<\/p>\n Although Wallace and Torode feature heavily in the new series, BBC bosses have cut out some of their jokes. They\u2019ve removed \u00adpromotional pictures of them, and neither presenter is mentioned in the descriptions for the three available episodes. Wallace, 60, issued an apology over his antics<\/a>. He said he was \u201cdeeply sorry for any distress caused\u201d and he \u201cnever set out to harm or humiliate\u201d.<\/p>\n He has insisted he is \u201cnot a groper, a sex pest or a flasher\u201d. Torode, 59, claims he has no \u00adrecollection of the alleged racist comment he made, said to be from 2018. The Lewis Silkin-commissioned report on the pair, ordered by \u00adproduction company Banijay UK, upheld the complaint against Torode.<\/p>\n![\"Gregg](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Screenshot-2025-08-06-at-083022-2.jpg\")
Gregg Wallace was sacked (Image: BBC )READ MORE: ‘I saw Gregg Wallace up close – he was battling demons and I feared the worst’<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Kirsty](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1_2025-BAFTA-Television-Awards-With-PO-Cruises-Dinner.jpg\")
Kirsty Wark spoke out about her experiences(Image: BAFTA via Getty Images)<\/p>\n