MASTERCHEF'S return to TV while Gregg Wallace remains under investigation is a recipe for disaster - and BBC bosses need to have a serious rethink.
After historic misconduct allegations were made against Gregg, the show's Christmas specials were axed, but it's been decided the 2025 celebrity series will go ahead with food critic Grace Dent alongside John Torode instead.
As a "middle class woman of a certain age", Grace will no doubt do a splendid job - but it seems outrageous that Gregg's TV partner of 19 years escapes scrutiny while Gregg is thrown to the wolves.
After 13 people came forward to accuse former greengrocer Gregg of making inappropriate sexual comments, Gregg was booted off the show while an investigation was launched.
However, before it has concluded, MasterChef has already been given the green light to return to the BBC.
Fans deserve to know the "who, what, where, when and whys" about the allegations BEFORE the series is back on television.
If Gregg's misconduct claims are upheld, viewers need to know:
Gregg's lawyers insist allegations including behaviour of a sexually harassing nature are entirely false.
By ousting Gregg and replacing him on Celebrity MasterChef while John stays on, the BBC has been judge and jury - throwing one of the channel's top stars under the bus while protecting another to show action has been taken in the midst of a media storm.
But getting rid of Gregg isn't enough.
It took years for women to be able to come forward about their experiences on the show.
The show's production company, Banijay UK, needs to explain why contestants didn't feel comfortable about speaking out while on MasterChef.
Those in charge must explain how - if proven - Gregg's behaviour was allowed to happen on set over almost two decades - and if there were complaints, why was action not immediately taken?
The Sun revealed John, 59, was unhappy about some of Gregg's on-set language and was aware of his bullish reputation.
He is said to have repeatedly raised concerns — but remained working with 60-year-old Gregg.
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.
Before a proper investigation takes place, it's inappropriate and nonsensical to have John continue on as normal.
MasterChef should be put on hold by the BBC until the probe into Gregg is over and we know ALL of the allegations made by people working on the show before sitting down to watch the TV show going forward.
John too has questions to answer over whether enough was done to protect MasterChef's contestants.
