MasterChef 2025 edits out contestant after she wanted episodes to be scrapped

Shafi had initially rejected an offer by Banijay to edit her out of her episode, but later agreed to be removed once the BBC announced it would air the season.

"I didn't say edit me out," she said. "I said, 'Axe the show, don’t air the show. I’m asking you not to air the show. Prominent figures have been abusing their power. What message does that send out to women?'

"For me, it’s about the enabling environment. It’s that complicity. Those individual powerful men do not [act] in isolation. There is an enabling environment, turning a blind eye… It’s about years of these institutions not being accountable."

The BBC confirmed it had no plans to work with Wallace after an independent report upheld 45 allegations made against him.

Posting on social media earlier this month, the presenter wrote: "The most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.

"I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that, I apologise without reservation. But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks."

Torode was then dropped from the series after an allegation of him using racist language in the workplace was upheld, but he said he had "no recollection" of the reported incident.

"The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong" Torode wrote on Instagram. "I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few days seem to have prevented that."

The BBC recently confirmed that the previously unreleased season 21 would air in August after "careful consideration and consultation with the contestants".

"MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey," the BBC statement read.

It continued: "This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters.

"We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC.

"However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series."

When Shafi was told about the "potential solution" to edit her out of the series, she said she was "flabbergasted" at the suggestion.

She said: "My point was not about me not being associated with it. My point was about the institutional enabling environment. I said I am completely against this airing of the show. I object to it strongly."

In response to Shafi's claims, a spokesperson for the BBC said: "Banijay consulted with all the contestants before that decision was made and there was widespread support for it going ahead.

"We are sorry that this contestant does not support the decision and we are grateful she raised this with both the BBC and Banijay."

A Banijay UK spokesperson said: "We are sorry that Sarah does not support the decision to air this series of MasterChef. We carefully considered her concerns about broadcasting the series and discussed them with the BBC.

"However, having consulted with all contributors in the series ahead of the decision being made, the resounding feeling from those taking part was support for airing the series."

MasterChef returns on Wednesday 6th August at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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