Masterchef fans 'switch off' as they make same complaint about Wallace and Torode

MasterChef viewers had to switch off just minutes into the new series premiering on TV. The BBC culinary staple came under fire recently as presenters John Torode and Gregg Wallace were both sacked over different matters, and fans were quick to slam television bosses for not editing them out of the broadcast.

Torode's contract was not renewed by production company Banijay UK, after he was alleged to have used racist language, whilst his co-star Gregg was fired from the programme after 41 of the 83 complaints against him were upheld by an investigation into his conduct. And despite the scandal, viewers tuned in to the launch of the 21st series but were quick to make their disdain known when the two TV stars appeared on screen as normal.

One viewer wrote on X: "I shall tune in to this for 10 or 15 minutes just to see how it has been re-cut to remove its presenters," before adding just minutes later: "Well I've switched it off. The @BBC has made no attempt to remove them from the show." A second viewer admitted they had done the same, and suggested that the broadcaster should have replaced them with a voiceover instead. It comes after reports Gregg Wallace is trying to 'earn a living' after MasterChef exit amid 'battle every day'.

READ MORE: MasterChef fans threaten to boycott over Gregg Wallace and John Torode inclusion

READ MORE: Gregg Wallace and John Torode 'lack chemistry' in first MasterChef return after axe

They wrote: "We have also switched off Master chef. I can’t bear to watch. Of course they could have edited the presenters out and had some sort of voice over." A third viewer said: "I’m shocked and stunned that the BBC are putting on master chef after Greg Wallace was sacked are they so hard up for new programmes."

Despite the scandal, some fans believed that the series would be a ratings winner for the broadcaster, with one viewer saying: "This is gonna end up being one of the most watched series of masterchef ever, isn’t it?" and a second agreed, as they said: "I'll bet #MasterChef gets it's highest ever viewing..." and a third also predicted: "Viewing figures are gonna be sky high."

There was no acknowledgment of the scandal at the beginning of the episode, and things seemed to continue as normal as viewers were introduced to this year's lineups. The amateur chefs taking to the kitchen this year include marketing manager Shaun, former actress Penelope, kickboxing instructor Gom, marketing co-ordinator Thea, business development manager Gemma, and vocal coach Beth. In the end, it was Penelope, Thea and Gemma who were voted on into the quarter finals, leaving six more hopefuls to try their luck in the kitchen next week.

Upon her elimination, Penelope said: "I'm sad, but I've just had a great time. It's been adventure. I'm going to take on the feedback I have received but I'm not going to change my ways of experimenting because that to me is the joy of cooking."

Wallace was axed from the series after law firm Lewis Silkin upheld 45 out of 85 complaints against him of inappropriate behaviour. While the 60-year-old has admitted to using inappropriate language at times, he denies the more serious allegations. Meanwhile, co-host Torode did not have his contract renewed with Banijay UK, who make MasterChef, after he was alleged to have used racist language amid an investigation into his former co-star's behaviour.

He claimed he had no memory of making the comment and denies it ever happened. One user said on X/ Twitter : "The decision to screen MasterChef tonight is unforgivable. There was no need to show this next series on BBC when they could’ve just streamed it on iPlayer and people who wanted to watch it would still have been able to. We will switch BBC off."

Another fan was convinced: " #MasterChef will contain some type of message this evening or it would have been pulled."

The latest series of MasterChef landed on BBC iPlayer this morning before airing on BBC One at 8pm. There had been concern over the future of the already filmed series following both Wallace and Torode's axe.

However, they both appear in the introduction shots of the first episode. Torode said: “This is the sort of stuff that dreams are made of”, while Wallace told a contestant: “That is a cracker of a job”.

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