MasterChef contestant edited out of new series

MasterChef contestant Sarah Shafi has been edited out of the new series after she requested that the whole show be pulled.

Filmed late last year, the new series has been shrouded in controversy after Gregg Wallace, and subsequently John Torode, were sacked from their roles as co-hosts following an investigation into on-set behaviour on the popular franchise.

The BBC had considered making the series available on iPlayer only, or scrapping it entirely, but after speaking to all of the 32 contestants involved the broadcaster decided to go ahead with a regular transmission on BBC One starting next week.

Shafi, a 57-year-old amateur cook from Leeds, was among those who objected to the series being shown but agreed to be edited out from her episode once the BBC made up its mind.

“I didn’t say edit me out [initially],” she told The Guardian. “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?”

She added: “While the BBC are signalling how life changing, for the better, this could be for some contestants – I’d say top 10 at most – where is the respect for how life changing, for the worse, it has been for the victims?

“What I suggested to them was: ‘Why don’t you do a special show dedicated to these people that excludes those prominent figures – but it focuses on the talent?'”

In response, the BBC told the publication: “[Production company] 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.”

The new series of MasterChef begins Wednesday, August 6 at 8pm on BBC One.