BBC 'inclined to bin' new MasterChef series as editing Gregg Wallace out 'isn't an option'

The BBC is understood to be torn about whether or not to show this year's series of MasterChef, in which "sacked" presenter Gregg Wallace features heavily. According to The Guardian, the production company Banijay has finished and sent to the BBC this year's series, which was recorded in 2024. Wallace is a judge right up to the season finale.

Wallace stood aside at that point in production after BBC News said it had heard from 13 people alleging the presenter had behaved inappropriately at work on occasions over a 17-year period. Details of a report into Wallace's behaviour are expected to be published later this week.

On Tuesday, BBC News reported that it has been approached by more than 50 more people with new claims about Wallace. They include allegations of groping one co-worker and claims of Wallace pulling his trousers down in front of another - he has denied these allegations.

He admitted using inappropriate language but claimed in a lengthy Instagram statement that he'd been "cleared of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me".

According to reports, the BBC's Director General, Tim Davie, will decide the fate of MasterChef.

A source told The Sun: "The investigation into Gregg is yet to be published but when he released his own statement on Tuesday it sparked a wave of events."

They claimed: "[MasterChef] had been shelved whilst the investigation was underway, but now bosses are aware they need to make a decision as there are contributors to consider.

"Bosses are inclined to can the whole thing, but that would also mean binning the time - and hopes - poured into making the show by those plucky amateur chefs."

They said "editing him out is not an option" for production which Wallace had hosted alongside John Torode since 2005.

Express.co.uk has reached out to the BBC for comment.