Under fire BBC show MasterChef is “much bigger than individuals” and can “absolutely survive and prosper” without Gregg Wallace, the BBC Director General has said.
Facing a ream of questions about the future of MasterChef now that Wallace has been dismissed, Tim Davie threw his weight behind the BBC stalwart series, which is currently renewed up until 2028. He said he can “absolutely” see a world in which the show lasts well beyond 2028 with a new presenter line-up that will no longer feature Wallace after his position became “untenable” following 45 substantiated allegations, mostly of inappropriate language and remarks. That news came out yesterday in a report commissioned by MasterChef producer Banijay.
“MasterChef is a great programme that is well loved by audiences and is much bigger than individuals,” Davie said at today’s BBC Annual Report press briefing. “It absolutely can survive and prosper but we have to make sure we’re in the right place in terms of culture.”
Since the report was released, Wallace’s former co-host John Torode has revealed himself to be the subject of a racism allegation that was upheld by the review. Davie refused to be drawn on reports that Torode has also been asked to step down from MasterChef but said “if someone is found not to live up to our values we expect the [production company] to take action and report back to us on what they have done.”
Davie and BBC Chair Samir Shah used today’s briefing to reveal that a number of BBC staff have been fired over their behavior since the corporation launched a recent review into its culture. “Since April more staff have been confident to step forward and several people have been dismissed as a result,” said Shah.
“Difficult decision” over next ‘MasterChef’ series
Returning to MasterChef, Davie said he is heavily involved with the “difficult decision” over whether to show the upcoming season, which features Wallace.
As “editor in chief” of the BBC, the DG said his “overwhelming concern” is for the amateur chefs who “gave their heart and soul to this programme.”
“We have to reflect on that, talk to them, consult them, think about our audience and then make the call,” he added. “That is what we are going through now. I’m not ruling out one way or another I just want to go through the process and then we can make a call.”
The BBC Annual Report revealed record license fee income earlier today.
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