MasterChef 2025 will release multiple episodes early on BBC iPlayer after premiere date is confirmed

All of these episodes will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer from the Wednesday.

Amid speculation around whether the series would come back to TV after it was confirmed that both John Torode and Gregg Wallace would not return for future instalments, the BBC announced that after "careful consideration and consultation with the contestants", it made the decision to air the upcoming season.

The statement read: "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.

"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."

An investigation carried out by independent law firm Lewis Silkin found 83 historical allegations of misconduct had been made against Wallace, after BBC News reported the TV judge had made "inappropriate sexual comments" over a 17-year period across five different programmes. Forty-five of the allegations were substantiated.

Following the report, the BBC announced it had "no plans to work with [Wallace] in the future".

Before the Silkin report was published, Wallace spoke out in a post shared on Instagram, saying that he had been "cleared by the Silkins report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me".

"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," he said.

"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."

The next day, the BBC announced that Torode would not be returning to the series either, after an allegation of him using racist language in the workplace was upheld.

Prior to the BBC's announcement, Torode confirmed he had been named in the report but had "no recollection of what [he was] accused of".

"Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay - I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of," he wrote in an Instagram post.

"The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong. 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 is yet to make a decision on the already filmed celebrity and Christmas specials, with plans to be announced later this year.

But it made clear that the franchise would continue without Wallace and Torode in the future, concluding its statement: "MasterChef is a brilliant, much-loved programme which is bigger than any one individual.

"There are many talented, dedicated and hard-working people who make the show what it is. It will continue to flourish on the BBC and we look forward to it returning stronger than ever in the future."

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

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