- Do YOU have a story? Send an email to tips@dailymail.com
Gregg Wallace may be completely written out of the new series of MasterChef so it can be broadcast, MailOnline can reveal.
Wallace had already filmed the upcoming series for amateur chefs last month with his co-host John Torode, 59. But now the 60-year-old will be erased from the tapes ahead of its screening next year.
Wallace quit the show last week after a spate of allegations of sexually inappropriate comments on set, sparking fears that the upcoming series would have to be abandoned altogether.
Despite the BBC insisting that the future of MasterChef will not be decided until the outcome of the investigation, an expert on the production told the Mail Online that the series is “salvable” as the option of axing is being carefully considered. to Wallace entirely from the episodes. This would mean that the series, which has cost production company Banijay a significant sum, would not have to be scrapped.
The source said Torode and Wallace’s critiques, where they give comments on the contestants’ food, were filmed separately.
Gregg Wallace could be completely removed from the new MasterChef series before it can air, MailOnline reveals
Wallace had already filmed the upcoming series for amateur chefs with his co-presenter John Torode, 59 (pictured), last month.
They said: ‘John and Gregg were always filmed on separate cameras. You can cut any two shots or wide shots containing the pair. Eliminating Gregg completely is a difficult task, but not impossible.
Last Friday, Australian chef Torode traveled overseas to continue filming the show, with Irish chef Anna Haugh replacing Wallace.
Filming on the upcoming series wrapped on Tuesday afternoon and was due to air in spring 2025.
It is now unclear when the BBC will broadcast the recently recorded episodes.
Sources on set said it “couldn’t have gone better,” with one saying, “Considering the circumstances, it was perfect.”
‘We had the popular Anna Haugh, who had appeared on the show before, step in and give her opinion to the contestants along with 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 program to erase its stars from the screen.
Wallace pulled out of the show last week after a spate of allegations of sexually inappropriate comments on set, sparking fears that the upcoming series would have to be abandoned altogether.
Last Friday, Australian chef Torode traveled overseas to continue filming the show, with Irish chef Anna Haugh (left) replacing Wallace (pictured centre).
On 2023’s RuPaul’s Drag Race, a reality competition for drag queens, a contestant was eliminated after being accused of inappropriate behavior before the show aired.
While TV host Jay Blades, who was accused last month of physically and emotionally abusing his wife, has not appeared in pre-recorded episodes of The Repair Shop that have aired since.
Last week, Wallace retired from Masterchef, after a BBC News investigation revealed allegations of the presenter’s sexually inappropriate behavior on television over a 17-year period.
The former fruit grower has denied conduct of a sexual harassment nature. But he is now subject to an external investigation by leading London law firm Lewis Silkin, under the instructions of MasterChef producer Banijay.
Torode broke his silence on Wednesday but declined to defend his television colleague of 19 years and said he fully supports the investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior and language.
He said it had been “difficult” to continue working after hearing the allegations.
On Thursday night, the BBC broadcast the semi-finals of MasterChef: The Professional, starring Wallace. But it has canceled the planned broadcast of two Christmas specials of the cooking show.