Contestant on MasterChef seemingly disregards question following edit error involving Gregg Wallace's controversy and potential dismissal
In the latest series of MasterChef (21), airing at 8pm on BBC One, the show has been hit with controversy following serious allegations against the hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode.
According to reports, more than 40 historic complaints against Gregg Wallace were upheld, and an independent investigation upheld 45 claims of inappropriate sexual behavior against him, leading to his removal from the show. John Torode, on the other hand, was dismissed for using racist language.
The controversy surrounding the hosts has led to a backlash from participants, with one contestant, Sarah Shafi from Leeds, calling for the whole series to be scrapped. However, the BBC ultimately decided to air series 21, which had already been filmed.
In a bizarre moment during the announcement, Hazel gave a thankful nod to an empty space, reflecting the wider dissatisfaction among contestants. Sarah Shafi, who argued against airing the series, was offered to be edited out. She agreed once the corporation confirmed the season was going ahead.
The editing out of a contestant was a direct result of their personal objection to being associated with a season tainted by the misconduct findings and the removal of the hosts. The production team re-edited the episodes to accommodate this request, featuring close ups of the cooks' faces or in pairs instead of the usual long shots.
The latest episode (the fourth) of MasterChef featured five amateur cooks. Two cooks, Sam and Trevor, automatically went through to the next round after cooking their first dish. Marcella was chosen first, followed by Hazel, to go through to the next round.
The edited series is available on BBC iPlayer for viewers who wish to watch it. The show continues to air at its usual time, sparking calls for the industry to address wider problems of misconduct rather than continuing to reward those involved with prime-time exposure.
Despite the controversy surrounding the hosts, the edited series of MasterChef featuring five amateur cooks is now available on BBC iPlayer. The decision to air the series, despite objections, highlights a need for the industry to address wider problems of misconduct, rather than solely focusing on entertainment.
