The BBC has revealed the fate of the unaired MasterChef series featuring fired presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode.
The amateur version of the hit reality cooking series had already filmed season 21 when Wallace was removed as host following a string of misconduct allegations.
In an independent review commissioned by Banijay which came out earlier this month 45 out of the 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiatedleading his official sacking and co-star Torode had a racial language allegation upheld against him.
As such the BBC initially said they were still deliberating whether to air the already-recorded season but now have made the decision to release it at the start of August.
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from August 6.
‘MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.’
The spokesperson said it had ‘not been an easy decision in the circumstances’ and acknowledged not everyone would agree.
They added: ‘In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters.
‘We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC.’
Calling it the ‘right thing to do’ for the cooks to be ‘properly recognised’, they added that the fate of the celebrity series and two Christmas special featuring Torode was still up in the air.
‘Most importantly MasterChef is a brilliant, much-loved programme which is bigger than any one individual.
‘There are many talented, dedicated and hard-working people who make the show what it is. It will continue to flourish on the BBC and we look forward to it returning stronger than ever in the future,’ thy concluded.
