Noor NanjiCulture reporter
The BBC has confirmed it will go ahead with broadcasting the latest series of Celebrity MasterChef, featuring sacked co-presenter John Torode.
Torode was sacked in the summer after an allegation against him using “an extremely offensive racist term” was upheld. He has said he has “no recollection” of it.
In a statement on Friday, the BBC said it had not been a “straightforward decision” but that all of the celebrities, contestants and guests involved had confirmed they were happy for the shows to be aired.
Two Christmas specials will also be aired, the corporation confirmed on Friday.
The latest series of Celebrity MasterChef was recorded earlier this year.
It was fronted by Torode and food critic Grace Dent, who stepped in after BBC News first revealed separate allegations against former host Gregg Wallace.
Wallace has said he was “deeply sorry for any distress” he caused but that “none of the serious allegations against me were upheld” by a report conducted by production company Banijay.
The same report also upheld a claim against Torode of using a severely offensive racist term.
Both presenters were sacked in July.
The BBC decided to go ahead and still show this year’s amateur series of MasterChef, with both Wallace and Torode in it, for the sake of the chefs who had taken part in it.
The corporation has now confirmed that Celebrity MasterChef, featuring 15 stars, will also be aired from this autumn.
Those taking part include rugby star Alun Wyn Jones, TV personality Chris Hughes, author and broadcaster Dawn O’Porter, gladiator Jodie Ounsley, and pop star Michelle Heaton.
“Banijay UK has consulted the celebrities, contestants and guests featured and all have confirmed that they are happy for the shows to be aired,” a BBC spokesperson said.
“As we have said previously, these are not straightforward decisions. We have approached this with care and consideration for all involved and we appreciate not everyone will agree with us.”
