Gregg's final MasterChef shows could still be aired

BBC bosses are convinced the MasterChef series that co-host Gregg Wallace filmed before he was sacked could still be aired.

- BY NICOLA METHVEN

One option is the cookery competition could go out on BBC iPlayer only.

The plan at the outset was for the series to run for 24 hour-long episodes across eight weeks on primetime BBC1.

The decision over its future on the channel will fall to BBC director-general Tim Davie, who must choose whether to show it or shelve it. It is thought the series cost £8million to make.

The BBC said it will decide after the report from law firm Lewis Silkin into the furore is made public this week.

An insider said: "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 it could yet see the light of day."

The series - recorded in 2024 - was put on ice early this year after 13 women came forward to complain about Wallace.

Since then, BBC News has claimed that 50 more people have made allegations about him, ranging from inappropriate language to groping and sexual intimidation.

Wallace, who co-hosted the show for 20 years, has vehemently denied the new accusations. News of him being sacked came this week.