BBC quietly releases new MasterChef episodes early after misconduct furore

• MasterChef has made an early return with a new series, featuring hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode, who were recently sacked after misconduct allegations came to light.
• Wallace faced 45 substantiated allegations, including inappropriate sexual language, while Torode had an allegation of racist language upheld.
• The series was due to begin airing on Wednesday evening, but on Wednesday morning, BBC released the first three episodes on iPlayer.
• Both presenters appear within the first minute of the new series, but their usual jokes are pared back, and there is less chatter between them and the chefs.
• The BBC said that airing the series was important to recognise the efforts of the featured cooks, though decisions on celebrity and Christmas specials are pending.

IN FULL

MasterChef makes early return to BBC with ‘fewer jokes’ from fired hosts