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MasterChef stars slam BBC saying ‘Christmas is cancelled’ after Gregg Wallace scandal sees shows pulled from schedule
One star due to appear took to social media and posted a black and white photo of himself on the show
FUMING MasterChef stars have slammed the BBC saying ‘Christmas is cancelled’ after the Gregg Wallace scandal saw the show pulled from the schedule.
This week, the BBC have finally pulled both MasterChef Christmas specials in the wake of a probe into Gregg Wallace’s alleged misconduct.
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A string of celebrities, ex-MasterChef stars and production staff came forward with a litany of claims against the show host.
A BBC spokesperson said of the upcoming specials: "As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned.
"The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them."
Emmerdale actor Amy Walsh, comedian Shazia Mirza, reality star Luca Bish, and The Wanted singer Max George, who all appeared on Celebrity MasterChef last year, were set to feature.
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And the stars who are in the Christmas specials have hit back, with Love Island star Luca Bish, 25, amongst them.
The former fishmonger took to social media and posted a black and white photo of himself on the show.
Luca penned: “Christmas is cancelled [sad face emoji]. Gutted our Christmas special has been put on hold but hope to be on your screens again soon."
As well as Luca, Emmerdale star Amy Walsh, 37, also posted.
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She said she was “beyond gutted” alongside a photo of herself in the kitchen on the show.
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Amy said: “Beyond gutted about this decision after all the hard work we all put in.
“Sorry to confirm they won’t be showing our Celebrity Christmas Special 2024! When we can I’ll try and share some pics of what I made, maybe I’ll recreate it for you all in my kitchen."
It comes as the BBC aired the semi-final of MasterChef: The Professionals on BBC One this week - claiming it was “life-changing” for the competitors.
The decision to keep airing pre-filmed episodes of MasterChef sparked huge backlash, with culture committee MP Rupa Huq calling on the broadcaster to cancel the programme while the probe is carried out.
Gregg Wallace - MasterChef scandal in Brief
GREGG Wallace has stepped down from his MasterChef hosting role after a probe into alleged inappropriate behaviour. But what's the situation?
Regular MasterChef host Gregg Wallace is currently the subject of a probe after an investigation was launched into his alleged misconduct over a number of years.
Gregg has been accused of making sexual remarks to 13 colleagues including Beeb anchor Kirsty Wark - accusations he denies.
The 60-year-old has now stepped away from the BBC show while historical misconduct allegations against him are investigated.
Yet the former greengrocer spoke out on social media to blast the "women of a certain age" who he claimed were behind the allegations.
The cooking show’s production company, Banijay UK, has said law firm Lewis Silkin would lead the investigation into Wallace’s alleged misconduct.
Five days later, the Beeb finally confirmed the episodes will be axed.
Wallace, under investigation by MasterChef producers Banijay UK, was scheduled to appear on the BBC several times this Christmas.
There were more episodes scheduled for tonight and Thursday before three finals shows next week.
Two episodes of MasterChef’s Christmas Cook Off were then set to air the following week, featuring a host of stars.
It comes as a former MasterChef staffer — who worked on the show from 2007 to 2010 — told The Sun she knew of at least six production members who raised concerns about Wallace’s conduct.
They said: “I heard from five female colleagues that they had issues with Gregg, including comments he made which weren’t appropriate for a workplace.
"There was a male staffer too who raised an issue about the language Gregg used when speaking to him.
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“Nothing ever seemed to be done to properly address it.
“It was like the worst-kept secret in the TV industry.”
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