MasterChef 2025 will officially air in August on the BBC, the broadcaster has confirmed, featuring brand-new challenges and an array of special guests as the show celebrates its 21st year.
MasterChef 2024 aired last spring, bringing us a bumper season celebrating 20 years of the much-loved series. However, there was uncertainty surrounding the new series after both Gregg Wallace and John Torode were sacked from the show following separate allegations. But the BBC has given a full statement (which we have lower down in the article) confirming why they've chosen to air the series.
Headlines about Wallace’s alleged misconduct emerged during the production of series 21.
According to BBC News, Wallace told PA News Agency that he is "deeply sorry for any distress" he caused, after 45 of the 83 allegations about his behaviour on MasterChef were upheld in a report by an independent law firm.
Gregg said in his statement that "none of the serious allegations against me were upheld. I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended."
BBC News reported that John Torode has also been sacked as MasterChef presenter after an allegation against him using "an extremely offensive racist term" was upheld as part of the same inquiry.
John took to social media to explain that the remarks were allegedly made in 2018 or 2019 and that he had "absolutely no recollection of any of this and I do not believe that it happened".
After it was announced he had been sacked from the series, he added: "I have no recollection of what I am accused of. The inquiry could not even state the date or year when I am meant to have said something wrong. Celebrity MasterChef, which I recently filmed with Grace Dent, along with two fantastic Christmas specials, will be my last. Personally, I have loved every minute of working on MasterChef, but it is time to pass the cutlery on to someone else."
Here is everything we know about the new series...
MasterChef 2025 release date and BBC statement on why it's airing
MasterChef 2025 will begin on BBC One on Wednesday, August 6, at 8 pm. The first three episodes will drop on iPlayer on that date. Episode 2 will air on BBC One on Thursday, August 7, at 8 pm. Episode 3 will air on BBC One on Friday, August 8, at 8.30 pm.
A BBC spokesperson said: "After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from August 6. 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.
“At this stage we have not taken a decision on the celebrity series and Christmas special, which was filmed earlier this year, and we will confirm our plans later in the year.
“Most importantly, 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 2025 judges
As the series was filmed in early 2024, both John Torode and Gregg Wallace will appear in the new series. However, it is unclear how much of either presenter we will see on screen.
.One name that has been linked to the show is Grace Dent, after she presented Celebrity MasterChef alongside John in 2024 and 2025.
How will MasterChef 2025 work?
Each series, we see more than fifty hopefuls from across the UK joining the programme to show off their culinary skills before being whittled down over the next eight weeks, with the winner crowned in a tense finale.
Last year saw two new challenges added to the knock-out rounds over the course of the initial heats. To 'earn' a MasterChef apron and stay in the competition, the first challenge facing the contestants is called 'Basic To Brilliant'.
John Torode told us, "Basic To Brilliant is all about taking an everyday item such as a potato or an onion and turning it into something truly special. As you’ll see, you can do amazing things with an onion!"
The second new challenge was part of the Invention Test and required the cooks to think on their feet. John said, "The contestants are all given the same basic recipe, for example, it’s gnocchi in episode one, and we see how they each create different dishes from that. I love that round because you really see their personalities start to come out."
MasterChef 2025 trailer
Unfortunately, there isn't a trailer for the series, but if one is released by the BBC, we will add it to this guide.
Who won MasterChef 2024?
Brin Pirathapan, a veterinary surgeon whose love of cooking is inspired by his Sri Lankan heritage, was crowned the 20th winner of MasterChef.
At the time of winning, he said: "The food I grew up with was never boring. Coming from a Tamil, Sri Lankan background, we had nice food on the table and it's never bland.
"There was just something about this year where I thought if I didn't apply I would probably just sit and watch it and regret that I didn't."
