BBC spark fury with WhatsApp groups 'blowing up' over MasterChef decision

Women who complained about Gregg Wallaceare said to be furious that he andJohn Torodestill have a prominent role in the new series of MasterChef. 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 axed the hosts.

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. Torode’s contract was not renewed by production company Banijay UK amid allegations he used racist language,which he denies.

One source said: “There is a feeling the complainants have been ignored and cast aside. It’s the BBC burying their head in the sand all over again. There is a lot and lot of anger over this. WhatsApp groups are blowing up.”

Broadcasting unionBectuslammed the decision to air the series with Wallace and Torode “front and centre” and minimal editing. Its chief Philippa Childs said: “The BBC’s decision to broadcast as normal has been incredibly divisive and risks terminally ­undermining the MasterChef brand.

READ MORE: 'I saw Gregg Wallace up close - he was battling demons and I feared the worst'

“Many 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 ­decision 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."

BBC star Kirsty Wark, who was on MasterChef in 2011, said this week: “For people who weren’t heard at the time if they did speak up and for people who were involved it will be very tough.”

The long-running cooking programme returned to screens on Wednesday, with a drop in viewing figures. It was watched by 1.96 million people – down from the 2.73m who watched last year’s opening show.

Although Wallace and Torode feature heavily in the new series, BBC bosses have cut out some of their jokes. They’ve removed ­promotional pictures of them, and neither presenter is mentioned in the descriptions for the three available episodes. Wallace, 60,issued an apology over his antics. He said he was “deeply sorry for any distress caused” and he “never set out to harm or humiliate”.

He has insisted he is “not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher”. Torode, 59, claims he has no ­recollection of the alleged racist comment he made, said to be from 2018. The Lewis Silkin-commissioned report on the pair, ordered by ­production company Banijay UK, upheld the complaint against Torode.

MasterChef’s first winner in 2005, Thomasina Miers told how she found the Aussie-born host “supportive”and could not believe he would be racist. Miers, who founded restaurant chain Wahaca also said Wallace was “full of smutty jokes” but added: “I’m also incredibly smutty.”