What did you miss?
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has said she is “gutted” her Christmas episode of MasterChef has been pulled from schedules in the wake of allegations against Gregg Wallace, but added that she had “a lovely time” on the show.
The pro dancer was supposed to appear in a festive celebrity special of the BBC One cooking show, but both MasterChef specials have now been cancelled from the broadcaster’s Christmas line-up as an investigation takes place into historic allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour by host and judge Wallace.
More than a dozen women involved in shows including MasterChef, Inside The Factory and Eat Well For Less have come forward with accusations of sexually inappropriate behaviour by Wallace, who on Monday apologised for earlier remarks that the accusations were made by “middle class women of a certain age” – comments that were branded “inappropriate and misogynistic” by Number 10, among others.
What, how, and why?
As allegations about Gregg Wallace‘s behaviour towards women he has worked with continue to pour in this week, the BBC has pulled a number of Christmas specials he was involved with from TV schedules. They include celebrity episodes of MasterChef, and festive Inside the Factory shows.
One of the celebrity contestants who had filmed the pre-recorded MasterChef episodes was Strictly’s Amy Dowden, who said she had a good experience in the kitchen and was “gutted” it would not be aired.
Dowden told ITV’s Lorraine on Friday: “I’m gutted about that. I did have a lovely time, but obviously I can’t comment any further because it is under investigation. I’m actually gutted. I can’t say I’m the best chef, but I did my best.”
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Dowden isn’t the only star of the festive MasterChef episodes to have expressed her disappointment that her show had been cancelled.
Max George wrote on Instagram: “Was looking forward to MasterChef Xmas special, but obviously there are much more important matters going on.”
Love Island star Luca Bish added: “Christmas is cancelled. Gutted our Christmas special has been put on hold but hope to be on your screens again soon.”
Emmerdale’s Amy Walsh wrote: “Beyond gutted about this decision after all the hard work we all put in. Sorry to confirm they won’t be showing our Celebrity Christmas Special 2024! When we can, I’ll try and share some pics of what I made, maybe I’ll recreate it for you all in my kitchen.”
The BBC commented: “As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned.
“The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them.”
Wallace is facing accusations of sexually inappropriate behaviour towards dozens of women both on the set of his TV programmes including MasterChef, Inside the Factory and Eat Well For Less, and away from filming towards women including the ghost writer of his autobiography. Those who have spoken out against him include Kirsty Wark, Aggie Mackenzie, Melanie Sykes and former MasterChef contestant Jackie Kearney, while Sir Rod Stewart claimed he had “humiliated” wife Penny Lancaster.
The TV presenter has stepped away from his MasterChef role while an investigation by production company Banijay takes place and Wallace’s lawyers have previously strongly denied “he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.
Amy Dowden’s Gavin and Stacey Christmas
While Dowden won’t get to watch her MasterChef episode over Christmas, she will be tuning in to the final episode of Gavin and Stacey as her family are superfans of the BBC sitcom.
It is due to return for a last instalment on Christmas Day that will wrap up the Barry-to-Essex love story once and for all, and Welsh Dowden will be marking the moment with a themed Christmas celebration.
She said: “It’s going to be quite emotional because it’s the last one as well, but my family, we love it. My dad is like Bryn (Rob Brydon’s character). Actually, when Gavin and Stacey came out people said, have they based the character Bryn off your dad.”
Talking about her plans for Christmas Day after going on a Gavin and Stacey set visit, she shared: “We’re all going to play a different character. I’ve been in Gwen’s house!”
Dowden, who has had to drop out of this year’s Strictly after an injury, backed her former partner JB Gill for the final.
She said: “I knew. For the first time when I took hold of JB and did a few steps, I knew he had the potential, the talent, the musicality, the groove in his body. I’m rooting for him, and yeah he can be in that final.
“We speak most days and I’ll be cheering him on. I’ll be at Strictly this weekend and it’s his birthday so I’ll be shouting my loudest up in the Clauditorium.”
Lorraine airs on ITV1 at 9am on weekdays.