BBC's MasterChef is establishing an independent anti-bullying and whistleblowing framework for staff on a new series, in the wake of recent scandals involving longtime judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode. Production company Banijay UK has reportedly engaged Tell Jane, an HR consultancy that specializes in bullying, harassment and discrimination, to advise across unscripted and scripted productions, while an anonymous reporting hotline called Speak Up! is expected to be available to staff, according to The Mirror. Banijay says the goal is to provide multiple channels for workers—both core staff and freelancers—to raise concerns, including their own confidential line and external support lines such as Tell Jane.
Wallace stepped down from MasterChef in November 2024 after a BBC investigation found complaints about his behaviour; Torode was dismissed in July 2024 after allegations that he used a racial slur. The Mirror and other outlets have described the anti-bullying initiative as part of a broader update to staff procedures on the series, with paperwork outlining new roles and reporting options. The Daily Mail and other outlets have reported the timeline and the details surrounding the two former judges' departures, along with Banijay's stated commitment to staff welfare on productions.
Further details from the reports indicate three new additions to employee procedures: Safeguarding Reps on productions, Confidential Reps for core staff, and a confidential Speak Up! hotline. The documents reviewed by The Mirror outline that staff can seek support or raise concerns with senior management, the HR team, Safeguarding Reps (on productions), Confidential Reps (core staff) or the Speak Up! hotline. Banijay has reiterated that it provides multiple ways for staff and freelancers to raise issues, including its own confidential whistleblowing line and external support lines like Tell Jane.
Food critic Grace Dent and chef Anna Haugh are slated to replace Gregg Wallace and John Torode for the next series. The change in presenting lineup comes as Wallace pursues a separate legal path; reports indicate he has lodged a High Court lawsuit seeking access to paperwork he believes will clear his name and bolster a potential disability claim tied to autism, which he says affected his time on MasterChef. Images and coverage from British tabloids have framed the case as potentially moving the dispute beyond televised cooking into broader employment and disability claims. BBC representatives have said they have not been formally notified of any legal proceedings at this stage.
In the background of these developments, BBC Director-General Tim Davie acknowledged that more disclosures could emerge as the corporation continues to review talent conduct. An internal review into Wallace’s conduct concluded that the majority of substantiated allegations related to inappropriate sexual language and humor, with a smaller number referencing other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress; one incident of unwelcome physical contact was also substantiated. Wallace has argued that workplace culture and neurodiversity, including an autism diagnosis he disclosed, played a role in how his actions were perceived, while asserting that some concerns were misinterpreted. Torode’s departure followed the allegations of a racial slur and reflected a broader reckoning around conduct in long-standing television productions.
The BBC and Banijay officials have framed the measures as part of an ongoing effort to safeguard staff welfare and to establish clearer channels for reporting misconduct. The Daily Mail, The Sun and other outlets have tracked the evolving dialogue around the MasterChef workplace environment, including the reported replacements and the legal actions. BBC and Banijay spokespeople have declined public comment on ongoing litigation, emphasizing instead their commitment to a safe and respectful work culture for everyone involved in MasterChef and related productions.