BBC bosses hint Gregg Wallace's final Masterchef season WILL air despite sacking

Gregg Wallace was given the boot from MasterChef, but BBC bosses and production giant Banijay believe the episodes he completed before the controversy may still be salvageable. They're considering releasing the costly £8 million series, originally scheduled for 24 hour-long primetime episodes on BBC1, exclusively on iPlayer.

The fate of the series on BBC1 is in the hands of Tim Davie, the director general, who faces the tough decision of airing it on BBC1, confining it to iPlayer, or scrapping it altogether depending on appropriateness. This will hinge on the findings of the forthcoming report by law firm Lewis Silkin, due later this week, the BBC has announced.

An industry source revealed: "Once the report comes out, we will all know what the legal review has found. Gregg has claimed that many of the more serious allegations against him have not been upheld, and has apologised for the rude and inappropriate language he used, causing complaints that were upheld. The feeling is the series is not dead yet - there are high hopes that it could yet see the light of day."

An email was sent to Banijay for comment.

Wallace's pre-recorded 24-part series was shelved after allegations of misconduct involving 13 women surfaced earlier this year. Since that development, BBC News has reported that Wallace faces another 50 complaints from women, accusing him of behaviour ranging from inappropriate comments to touching and sexual intimidation, all of which he strongly denies.

Insiders from the show, which was taped last year, have claimed it would be "impossible" to completely remove him. As a judge alongside John Torode, Wallace's role is crucial to MasterChef, and attempts to reduce his screen presence have been dismissed, reports the Mirror.

Amidst whispers that the series winner is mulling over legal action due to their victory not being aired, one source revealed: "For that person, the series not being shown has massive ramifications. They may well have wanted to launch a cookery career off the back of it and now feel that this controversy is preventing that opportunity - through no fault of their own."

Participation in MasterChef can be transformative, particularly for finalists and the champion, with many participants forging successful culinary careers.

"These 24 episodes are finished and have been delivered to the BBC. To not show them would be a huge waste of licence fee payers' money," an insider commented.

There's talk of confining the amateur series with Gregg as host to just an iPlayer release. However, insiders argue it deserves more exposure because the brand is significant for the BBC and beloved by countless viewers on BBC1.

Last year, the show marked its 20th anniversary with a gathering of 72 past contestants, including many champions whose careers took a new direction as a result of their participation. The programme also boasts a dedicated production team who put in countless hours to bring the 21st series to life.

The BBC1 series, which reportedly cost around £8million to produce, was originally scheduled to air earlier this year but was postponed due to ongoing reviews.

John Torode, co-host alongside Wallace, is anticipated to remain on the show, joined by a new presenter likely to be Grace Gent. Gent previously filled in for Wallace on the celebrity edition earlier this year, filmed in the new Birmingham studio and expected to kick off next month.

Another potential candidate is Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt, who was brought in for MasterChef: The Professionals alongside judges Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti. Filming for that series is nearing completion and it's expected to broadcast towards the year's end in its usual slot.

The BBC has stated that no decision has been made yet regarding whether the amateur version will be aired, or who will take over as the main series' next presenter.

The regular edition of MasterChef usually airs in the spring and this year it has been substituted by a variety of programmes including The Repair Shop on the Road and reruns of Who Do You Think You Are?

The fate of the 21st MasterChef series, featuring Gregg Wallace, hangs in the balance but casting for the 22nd is already pressing ahead, with hopefuls invited to apply via the show's Instagram.

Wallace's fans argue he is being scapegoated to shield the esteemed MasterChef brand, suggesting his only fault is a "terrible sense of humour" and a penchant for off-colour jokes at the wrong times. Yet, allegations against him span over a decade, including accusations of indecency, unwanted physical contact and lewd remarks.

Today (THURS) or tomorrow is set for the release of the official verdict, with Wallace anticipating it will be a brief summary rather than an exhaustive disclosure.

On social media, he expressed concerns over the report's selectivity, divulging: "What really concerns me about the short summary is others who have been found guilty of serious allegations have been erased from the published version of events. I, and I'm sure the public, would like to know why?".

Determined to clear his name, Wallace has engaged legal counsel and is defiant against his dismissal, proclaiming steadfastly: "I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience. The full story of this incredible injustice must be told and it is very much a matter of public interest."