BBC should consider pausing Masterchef over allegations, says Rupa Huq MP | Global News Avenue

The BBC should consider suspending MasterChef while Greg Wallace is investigated, an MP has suggested.

Rupa Huq, who also sits on the culture, media and sport committee, said MasterChef’s continuation could be “triggering” for the women involved.

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think there may be some who think there should be a pause while the investigation is ongoing and it may not be aired tonight.”

Thirteen people came forward last week alleging inappropriate comments, and Wallace denied any sexual harassment.

The next episode of MasterChef: The Professionals is currently scheduled to air on Monday at 21:00 GMT on BBC One.

This will be episode 16 of 21 recorded episodes for the current series. The next two episodes are scheduled to air on Tuesday and Thursday.

All three episodes this week are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

A Christmas special will also air later this month. In a press release issued Friday, The BBC says viewers can “look forward to fireworks, great Christmas banter and delicious food”.

There are also over 250 episodes of historical programs featuring Wallace available on BBC iPlayer, the majority of which are MasterChef or its spin-offs.

On Sunday, Wallace said the accusations came from “a small number of middle-class women of a certain age.”

his response criticized by plaintiffOne of the people said the comments showed he “clearly hasn’t learned his lesson.”

Ulrika Jonsson claims she was told Wallace made a “rape joke” during “Celebrity Chef” told The Telegraph She believed Wallace’s response showed “the arrogance of a man with zero introspection or self-awareness.”

“I get so angry when he mentions women of a certain age… I’m just crazy,” she said.

Speaking on Monday, Hook drew attention to the BBC’s plans to continue airing the latest series of MasterChef: The Professionals that night.

“As far as I know it’s scheduled for 9pm today (Monday) and it’s already on the Christmas schedule, but it doesn’t seem to have disappeared from the news.”

She added that the airing of subsequent episodes of MasterChef “could be very emotionally triggering for the women involved and indeed any woman involved in any type of similar incident” and said the BBC should consider “out of sensitivity Sex” paused the show.

TV host Connie’s sister Hook acknowledged that Wallace was no longer hosting the show but noted that pre-taped episodes were still scheduled to air.

“For the average viewer, there won’t be any difference,” she said. “If it was on TV tonight and it looked like he got away with it, I think the BBC should send a strong message about this behaviour.”

She added: “We need to let the investigation do its work but at the same time, if he was on our screens while this was happening, I think it might be put on hold now.”

Another former “Celebrity MasterChef” contestant, Times Radio host Asma Mir, said on Sunday that she raised concerns about Wallace in 2017.

She told the Sunday Times that Wallace made inappropriate comments during filming.

“I haven’t watched MasterChef since then because of him,” she said. “Making other people uncomfortable, or not knowing you’re making other people uncomfortable — why would I look at someone like that?”

Wallace resigned last week after a BBC News investigation revealed allegations of inappropriate sexual comments and inappropriate behavior against him.

The survey heard from 13 people of various age groups who had worked on five different programmes.

Production company Banijay UK said it had launched an investigation and that Wallace was cooperating with the investigation, while the BBC said it would “always listen if people want us to know something directly”.

A BBC News investigation also found that Wallace was warned by the BBC in 2018 following complaints about his role on the show, which Hook alluded to on Monday.

“Obviously this is not the first time, warnings have been issued before,” she said.

“So it does raise the question that when the BBC does these investigations, what are the results? Do they take the conclusions seriously, (or) do they cover their ears?”

Helen Lederer, who previously appeared on Celebrity Chef, told the Today program that Monday’s episode was an “opportunity to take a stand and either (viewers) don’t watch it or (the BBC) Not broadcast”.

“I think more people will watch it given the controversy, but I think it’s very colored by the amount of influx and debate,” she said.