MasterChef: The Professionals viewers slam ‘ill timed’ remark from Marcus and Monica and question why it was left in after co-star Gregg Wallace was hit by sexual harassment claims

MasterChef: The Professionals viewers slam 'ill timed' remark from Marcus and Monica and question why it was left in after co-star Gregg Wallace was hit by sexual harassment claims

As a longtime viewer and admirer of MasterChef, I must say that this recent turn of events has left me both disheartened and bewildered. For years, I’ve watched with delight as Wallace and his fellow hosts brought culinary mastery to our living rooms. However, the allegations against Wallace have cast a dark shadow over the show’s once-shining reputation.

Viewers of MasterChef: The Professionals express criticism towards a seemingly inopportune comment by Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti, amidst persisting sexual misconduct accusations against Gregg Wallace.

Last week, the MasterChef judge and chef, who is now 60 years old, declared that he would be taking a step back from hosting the show as an investigation into accusations of misconduct against him is ongoing.

13 individuals have brought charges against him, claiming inappropriate and sexually suggestive conduct occurred during the filming process. Additionally, it’s alleged that he entered a set wearing only a sock covering his genitals, and three women working in production have accused him of unwanted touching on set.

In the show on Thursday, when Gregg wasn’t present for a portion of it, his colleagues Marcus and Monica made mention of him. This sparked curiosity among viewers as to why this comment was included despite his absence.

When trying to contestants dishes, Marcus finished his portion, saying: ‘I’ve eaten all of it’

To which Monica replied: ‘You’ve done a Gregg,’ with Marcus repeating: ‘I’ve done a Gregg’

MasterChef: The Professionals viewers slam 'ill timed' remark from Marcus and Monica and question why it was left in after co-star Gregg Wallace was hit by sexual harassment claims

MasterChef: The Professionals viewers slam 'ill timed' remark from Marcus and Monica and question why it was left in after co-star Gregg Wallace was hit by sexual harassment claims

Viewers of BBC swiftly noted an unlucky phrase, with one individual writing on social media platform X: ‘Doubts if Marcus or Monica would ever use the phrase “I’ve pulled a Gregg” again…’

‘That’s an unfortunate MasterChef line on demolishing an entire plate of food’

TopMob has contacted the BBC for comment. 

Despite increasing demands to halt its broadcast after the Gregg Wallace controversy, the BBC has made it clear that they will carry on airing Masterchef: The Professionals.

The top-level management at the company convened emergency discussions, as allegations concerning Wallace could potentially disrupt their planned holiday programming, featuring two unique episodes of MasterChef.

The BBC plans to air the remaining episodes of Masterchef: The Professionals, culminating on December 12th, along with the two special Christmas episodes. They are pausing the investigation into Wallace, which is being conducted by production company Banijay, in the meantime.

They are reportedly examining upcoming episodes of MasterChef, which have not been aired yet, for any suggestive or inappropriate remarks made by Wallace.

Four episodes remain before Masterchef: The Professionals becomes a central component of BBC’s holiday lineup. Even outside of its broadcast, the original Masterchef brand continues to thrive commercially, particularly during the festive season. Kitchen tools and cookware showcased in the series often find their way onto Christmas wish lists as popular gifts.

After TopMob disclosed that Gregg might not appear in the revised version of MasterChef, the show can be broadcasted.

MasterChef: The Professionals viewers slam 'ill timed' remark from Marcus and Monica and question why it was left in after co-star Gregg Wallace was hit by sexual harassment claims
MasterChef: The Professionals viewers slam 'ill timed' remark from Marcus and Monica and question why it was left in after co-star Gregg Wallace was hit by sexual harassment claims
MasterChef: The Professionals viewers slam 'ill timed' remark from Marcus and Monica and question why it was left in after co-star Gregg Wallace was hit by sexual harassment claims
MasterChef: The Professionals viewers slam 'ill timed' remark from Marcus and Monica and question why it was left in after co-star Gregg Wallace was hit by sexual harassment claims
MasterChef: The Professionals viewers slam 'ill timed' remark from Marcus and Monica and question why it was left in after co-star Gregg Wallace was hit by sexual harassment claims

Wallace, along with his co-host John Torode (age 59), had filmed the upcoming amateur chef series last month. However, it appears that Wallace, who is 60 years old, may be edited out of the footage prior to its broadcast next year.

Last week, Wallace chose to step away from the program following accusations of inappropriate sexual remarks made during filming. This incident has raised concerns that the upcoming season might need to be cancelled altogether.

Although the BBC maintains that the fate of MasterChef won’t be determined until after the investigation concludes, an anonymous source from production hinted to Mail Online that the show could still continue, and they are contemplating the possibility of editing Wallace out of each episode completely.

In simpler terms, this implies that the television show, an expensive project for Banijay to produce, won’t need to be discarded or cancelled.

According to the source, Torode and Wallace provided their critiques on the contestants’ dishes individually, as these segments were recorded separately.

In simpler terms, it was mentioned that John and Gregg were filmed individually using different cameras. Editing can easily include any two shots or wider shots featuring both of them. However, removing Gregg completely from the footage might be challenging, but not entirely impossible.

Last Friday, Australian chef Torode jet-setted abroad to carry on with the TV series, while Irish chef Anna Haugh took over for Wallace who was absent.

MasterChef: The Professionals viewers slam 'ill timed' remark from Marcus and Monica and question why it was left in after co-star Gregg Wallace was hit by sexual harassment claims
MasterChef: The Professionals viewers slam 'ill timed' remark from Marcus and Monica and question why it was left in after co-star Gregg Wallace was hit by sexual harassment claims

The filming for the upcoming series was wrapped up on Tuesday afternoon, with plans to air it during Spring 2025.

It is now unclear when the BBC will air the recently recorded episodes.

According to sources on set, everything went flawlessly, with one person commenting that given the situation, it all unfolded smoothly.

On this occasion, we welcomed back Anna Haugh, a well-known figure, who previously graced our stage. She joined John in providing constructive feedback to our competitors.

The production team worked diligently to ensure a peaceful and relaxed environment on set for our novice contestants.

It would not be an unprecedented move for a BBC programme to erase its stars from the screen.

2023 saw a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race, a popular reality TV series featuring drag queens, being digitally removed following allegations of improper conduct prior to the program’s broadcast.

Although TV host Jay Blades, recently accused of physically and emotionally abusing his spouse, has been absent from airing pre-recorded episodes of The Repair Shop that have aired since the accusations.

Previously, Wallace stepped down from Masterchef last week, following the unveiling of an investigation by BBC News that disclosed claims of sexually inappropriate actions by the host during his time on various TV sets over approximately 17 years.

MasterChef: The Professionals viewers slam 'ill timed' remark from Marcus and Monica and question why it was left in after co-star Gregg Wallace was hit by sexual harassment claims
MasterChef: The Professionals viewers slam 'ill timed' remark from Marcus and Monica and question why it was left in after co-star Gregg Wallace was hit by sexual harassment claims

Previously, the grocer was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior, but presently, he faces an independent probe led by the prestigious law firm Lewis Silkin, appointed by the MasterChef producers at Banijay.

On Wednesday, Torode finally spoke up, however, he opted not to back his long-time TV co-worker, instead expressing full support for the investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, unsuitable behavior, and inappropriate speech.

He said it had been ‘hard’ to keep working after hearing of the allegations.

On Thursday evening, MasterChef: The Professional with Wallace was aired on BBC. However, they have cancelled the planned airing of two holiday-themed episodes of their cooking program.

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2024-12-06 00:49

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