BBC faces decision over latest MasterChef series led by sacked presenter

The BBC is facing a fresh crisis over whether or not to show this year's series of MasterChef, during which the sacked presenter Gregg Wallace appears prominently throughout.

- Michael Savage Media editor

The Guardian understands the series has been completed and delivered to the broadcaster. But Wallace features as a judge right up until the series finale.

It was only at that point that Wallace stood aside from the role, after BBC News reported allegations of inappropriate sexual comments and inappropriate behaviour by 13 people who had worked with him across a 17-year period.

Details of a report into his behaviour, commissioned by MasterChef producers Banijay and overseen by the law firm Lewis Silkin, are expected to be published soon.

Meanwhile, BBC News has since revealed it had been approached by more than 50 more people with fresh claims about the presenter.

They include allegations, denied by Wallace, of groping one coworker and having pulled his trousers down in front of a second. Wallace has admitted using inappropriate language but claims to have been cleared of "the most serious and sensational accusations made against me".