Despite internal controversy and misconduct findings, the BBC has gone ahead with the launch of MasterChef 2025, retaining both longtime hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode initially. The first three episodes of the series became available on BBC iPlayer on Wednesday, 6 August, with the first episode set to air on BBC One the same evening. Viewers will see Wallace and Torode hosting as usual, but changes lie ahead.
According to The Independent, Wallace will exit the show after the semi-finals due to allegations of inappropriate behaviour that surfaced during filming in November last year. He will be replaced in the final episodes by Irish chef and restaurateur Anna Haugh.
Haugh, known for her BBC cookery series Big Irish Food Tour, has prior experience with the MasterChef franchise. She joined Gregg Wallace and Marcus Wareing in 2022 as a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals and has made appearances on Celebrity MasterChef. She’s also known for guest judging on Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, and for her cooking segments on Saturday Kitchen and Ready Steady Cook.
Her culinary expertise is matched by her restaurant success. In 2019, Haugh opened Myrtle Restaurant in Chelsea, combining modern European dishes with Irish influences. On her food tour series, she explores Irish culinary traditions alongside celebrities like Laura Whitmore, Katherine Ryan, and Angela Scanlon.
Wallace’s departure comes in the wake of a damning independent investigation that upheld 45 allegations against him, including use of inappropriate sexual language and one instance of unwelcome physical contact.
Wallace has acknowledged the findings but pushed back against public perception, “People think I’m a sex pest. I am not. I am not sexist or a misogynist, or any of it. There never were any accusations of sexual harassment,” he told The Sun last month.
He added, “I am not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher.” In a separate statement, Wallace said he was “sorry for any distress caused”, and claimed that the investigation had cleared him of “the most serious and sensational accusations”.
Co-host John Torode was also the subject of a misconduct claim during the same investigation. The Lewis Silkin review upheld an allegation that he had used racist language. Torode responded, saying:
“I have no recollection of the incident,” and added he was “shocked and saddened” by the accusation.
Despite the controversy, the BBC opted to air the 2025 series, citing fairness to the contestants. “Broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process,” read the official BBC statement.
“We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.”
Still, the BBC admitted the decision had not been easy. So far, six amateur cooks have entered the first heat, with both Wallace and Torode appearing in the debut episode. In one of his opening remarks, Wallace is heard saying:
“Light the stoves, get yourselves a clean apron, and let’s find some talent.”
However, viewers may notice a change in tone. The hosts’ typical back-and-forth banter is notably dialled down, and their engagement with contestants feels more subdued.
Meanwhile, restaurant critic Grace Dent has already been brought in to replace Wallace for the upcoming season of Celebrity MasterChef, which has completed filming. The BBC has yet to confirm whether Wallace will appear in the Celebrity MasterChef Christmas special.
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