Fans of MasterChef tuned in this week expecting a fresh start—but instead, they were met with familiar faces in a very uncomfortable context.
The latest series dropped on BBC iPlayer earlier in the day and aired Wednesday night, but what was supposed to be a highlight of the BBC’s cooking calendar ended up feeling more like a PR disaster.
Despite the high-profile sackings of Gregg Wallace and John Torode, both men still appeared front and centre in the edited footage.
Viewers didn’t hold back.
Ratings Tumble as Viewers Reject BBC’s Decision
The backlash came swiftly—and so did the drop in numbers.
The opening episode of this controversial 21st series only drew 1.96 million viewers, a big fall from the 2.73 million who tuned in for last year’s premiere.
The criticism wasn’t just about the presenters—it was about the BBC’s judgment.
Many fans were shocked the show was broadcast at all, calling the decision “tone-deaf” and “bizarre” considering the circumstances.
Social Media Lights Up with Outrage
Social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), was flooded with posts from confused and frustrated viewers.
Comments ranged from anger to disbelief:
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“Shame on the BBC… absolute joke.”
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“Why are these men still on MasterChef?”
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“The poor contestants, their series is completely overshadowed.”
Others questioned if the wrong version of the show had aired altogether, while some demanded the licence fee be scrapped in protest.
A Lack of Chemistry on Screen Makes It Worse
To add to the discomfort, body language expert Judi James shared her take on the dynamic between Wallace and Torode during the episode.
She noted the complete absence of on-screen chemistry, saying the two men barely interacted and looked more like distant colleagues than co-hosts.
According to James, their scenes lacked warmth or synchronicity, and were often filmed with physical distance or edited separately, reducing any natural banter to awkward solo shots.
Why Were They Fired? A Look at the Allegations
Gregg Wallace and John Torode were both removed from MasterChef last month.
Gregg, a longtime BBC personality, was at the centre of a formal investigation following 83 complaints—with 45 of them upheld.
The allegations included inappropriate sexual language, questionable humour, and at least one instance of unwanted physical contact.
Wallace was also accused of walking around in a state of undress behind the scenes and making inappropriate comments, including to contestant Sarah Shafi, who refused to appear on the final programme after filing a complaint.
Torode Also Let Go After Racial Slur Allegation
John Torode, a staple of the show for two decades, was also dismissed following allegations that he used the N-word—an accusation he says he has “absolutely no recollection” of. Nonetheless, the BBC chose to part ways with him shortly after Wallace’s exit.
Together, their departure left the show in crisis—and viewers clearly weren’t ready to pretend nothing had happened.
Gregg Wallace Says Autism Played a Role in Misunderstandings
Wallace has since spoken out, offering an explanation for his behaviour.
He claims that his actions were misunderstood, and linked much of the controversy to his recent autism diagnosis.
“I know I’m odd. I know I struggle to read people,” he told The Sun.
“Autism is a disability… I’ve worked with 4,000 people and only 0.5% found fault with me.”
He also argued that the BBC failed to support his neurodiversity, stating that despite years of suspicion from colleagues, no action was taken to protect him or properly assess his needs during his 20 years with the show.
A Tarnished Legacy for a Long-Running Favourite
What should have been another triumphant return for MasterChef has instead become a PR nightmare.
The BBC’s decision to air episodes featuring two ousted hosts—amid serious allegations—has deeply divided fans and hurt the show’s once-solid reputation.
As the series continues, the question remains: Can MasterChef recover from this mess, or has it already lost the trust of its audience?