BBC Airs New ‘MasterChef’ With Axed Hosts Gregg Wallace, John Torode

The BBC has moved forward with the decision to air the latest season of U.K. MasterChef, filmed before its hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode were fired.

Both presenters were axed last month after a Banijay-commissioned report maintained allegations of inappropriate behavior on the set of the popular cooking show.

The BBC cut ties with Wallace after 45 claims against him were upheld, the majority of them relating to inappropriate sexual language and humor but also culturally insensitive and racist comments over a 19-year period. Wallace has since apologized, but insisted he is “not a groper.”

Torode was let go after it emerged in the report that another individual was claimed to have made a racist remark. The Australian star later wrote on social media: “For the sake of transparency, I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion,” adding that he has “no recollection of it.” This was the only claim upheld against Torode, who faced eight in total, including allegations of abusive and sexual language.

The BBC had faced mounting pressure to cut the new series altogether. But on Wednesday, the channel aired the first episodes of the newest series on BBC iPlayer, filmed with Wallace and Torode before the allegations came to light. It will later show on BBC One at 8 p.m. U.K. time. The broadcaster said while not “an easy decision,” it was “the right thing to do” for the chefs who took part.

Broadcast union Bectu railed against the decision, claiming bad behavior “should not be rewarded” with prime-time coverage. “Whilst the BBC claims that it has consulted with contestants there appears to have been no consultation with complainants; freelancers who have taken the very difficult step of speaking out and who will legitimately feel distressed,” Bectu head Philippa Childs said.

Elsewhere, U.K. culture secretary Lisa Nandy told BBC Breakfast: “It’s absolutely not for me, as the culture secretary and a member of the government, to tell broadcasters what they can and can’t broadcast.” However, as a viewer, she added, “I won’t be watching it.”

Both Wallace and Torode appear from the outset and throughout new series, but critics have noted there are fewer jokes and less banter between the men and their chefs compared to previous instalments.

“John and Gregg are there to explain things to camera, link parts of the programme and review the food, but they’re not there so much for our entertainment,” said British TV critic Scott Bryan. The promotional image on the BBC’s streaming service shows the MasterChef trophy, unlike previous years where Wallace and Torode would feature.