TALKING POINTS | MasterChef, EastEnders, Harry Potter & Two Doors Down

Here's what's got me talking this week...

It's that time of the week again when I take a look back at the last 7 days to see what has got me talking the most.

From MasterChef to Two Doors Down and more, here are my 4 telly talking points of the week...

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1

JOHN TORODE & GREGG WALLACE

being sacked from MasterChef UK

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There's only really one story that's been dominating the news this week, and that's the fallout from the investigation into Gregg Wallace's alleged inappropriate behaviour on the set of MasterChef UK. An investigation which began towards the end of November 2024, after it was reported by BBC News that 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period had told them about allegations of inappropriate sexual comments by Wallace.

At the time, Gregg Wallace stepped away from presenting the show, and was - then temporarily - replaced by Grace Dent, who fronted the upcoming Celebrity series and Christmas specials alongside John Torode, all of which are yet to air.

Last week, ahead of the published review (which came this week), Gregg Wallace revealed that "after 21 years of loyal service" had been sacked from MasterChef, despite, in his words, being cleared of the “most serious and sensational accusations” against him ahead of the published review.

This week, Lewis Silkin, the law firm who carried out the investigation, said that 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Gregg, including one of "unwelcome physical contact" have been sustantiated. This left Banijay, the production company who make MasterChef to confirm that Wallace’s return to MasterChef was "untenable”.

The report also threw up two standalone allegations made against other people, which were upheld, including one for using racist language in either 2018 or 2019. Soon after, John Torode took to Instagram to release a statement in which he said "For the sake of transparency, I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion.", and despite adding that the "person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards" said he had "absolutely no recollection of any of this and I do not believe that it happened".

Since then, it has been reported that the incident happened during a wrap party, at which John Torode used the N-word whilst singing along to Kanye West's Gold Digger, with BBC News reporting that of the 10 additional complaints made against other individuals in the report, nine were about John Torode "including other allegations of racist language, abusive language towards junior production staff and sexual language".

John Torode was then sacked from MasterChef, with the BBCs director general, Tim Davie, saying "It's really important we are taking this seriously. We've drawn a line in the sand." And in a statement posted on his Instagram, John Torode claimed that he "hadn't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay" and only learnt of his sacking via the media.

He went on to say "I'd hoped that l'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." addin that he has "loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else." and will continue to "watch fondy from afar".

So what happens now to MasterChef? There's already a series sat on the shelf, fronted by both John and Gregg, which is unlikely to make it to air, although Tim Davie has said "We haven’t made a decision yet”. Then there's the Celebrity series which Grace Dent stepped in to host alongside John Torode, as well as two Celebrity specials. I imagine it's more likely that these will still air, but the BBC haven't confirmed either way yet.

But what about MasterChef as a format? Will it work without John and Gregg at the helm? Absolutely. The success of the show worldwide and its Junior and Proffesionals spin-offs (with different hosts) proves that show was so much more than its two presenters, who, let's be honest never had the greatest on-screen chemistry.

So by ridding themselves of both John and Gregg, it's a chance for MasterChef to usher in a new era, with new hosts and hopefully a better working environment. Current names in the frame include Matt Tebbutt and Andi Oliver, who I actually think are great choices, should that turn out to be true.

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2

PIERRE MOULLIER'S

impressive debut as Oscar Branning in EastEnders

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One month into his tenure, EastEnders' new executive producer Ben Wadey, is off to a great start! He has already brought back Zoe Slater and Julie Bates, and announced that Max Branning and Anthony Trueman will be back. But it's the return of Oscar Branning to Walford this week, that might just be his best decision yet.

Having been kicked out by Tanya, the tag-wearing, 17-year-old, bisexual Branning is straight out of a three-month stint for joyriding at a youth detention centre and ready to cause chaos in Walford, forcing sister Lauren to take him in.

Newcomer Pierre Moullier has already made quite the impression in his first week on EastEnders as Oscar. On the run from "Fat Mike", he's already flirted with Peter, tried to scam Ian (who he calls Brian) by faking a fall at Beale’s Plaice, and ended up working on the Beales' fruit and veg stall after losing a drunken bet with cousin Penny.

Putting an uncanny resemblance to Jake Wood who plays Max Branning to one side, Pierre's physicality as an actor and comedy timing is impeccable, and already we've seen that as being a breath of fresh air and brining a sense of fun to EastEnders, he's also more than capable at finding Oscar's emotional depth, evident during scenes involving his brother Jimmy.

It's rare for an actor to make such a brilliant first impression as Pierre has. The last time was when Laura Doddington stormed onto Albert Square as Nicola Mitchell and she has not disappointed ever since. I can't wait to see what's next for Oscar. Will 'Fat Mike' catch him? What will happen when he's reunited with Max? And will he find love? One thing's for sure, I won't be able to take my eyes off him!

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3

HARRY POTTER

HBO's television series begins filming

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In recent weeks and months, HBO have been releasing who's been cast as who in their upcoming television series adaptation of Harry Potter and as filming began this week, we got our first glimpse of Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. And I must admit, seeing the actors taking on these iconic roles has got me excited for what's to come.

Both series one and series two are being filmed back-to-back with Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout joining Dominic McLaughlin and Nick Frost as Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.

Further casting includes, Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. As well as guest and recurring cast members Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.

The series, launching in 2027 on HBO and HBO Max. promises to be a faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter books by author and executive producer J.K. Rowling.

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4

TWO DOORS DOWN

returning for a Christmas Special

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Whilst last Christmas belonged to Gavin & Stacey, this year we've got a brand new Two Doors Down Christmas special to enjoy as the BBC finally confirmed that the hit Scottish sitcom will return to our screens for the first time in two years.

The new episode will follow the residents of Latimer Crescent as they all congregate at Beth and Eric’s house to celebrate Christmas.

Alongside Arabella Weir and Alex Norton, who are back as Beth and Eric, Elaine C Smith is back as Beth, Doon Mackichan and Jonathan return as Cathy and Colin, Graeme Stevely and Joy McAvoy will return as Alan and Michelle, and Jamie Quinn and Kieran Hodgson will also return as Beth and Eric’s son Ian and his fiancé Gordon.

Created and written by Simon Carlyle and Gregor Sharp, there have been seven series and three previous Christmas specials. Since it began as a one-off special in 2013, Two Doors Down has seen a steady growth in audiences from 1.3m (28-day) on BBC Two in 2016 to a 28-day average of 2.8m for the last series, after it moved to BBC One.

This year's Christmas special will mark the first episode since Simon Carlyle's sad passing in 2023, and will be solely written by Gregor Sharp, who I imagine will use this special to see if he's able and willing to bring it back for another full series in the future.

It might not achieve the same numbers that Gavin & Stacey did, but already Two Doors Down heads to the top of my Christmas telly watching, and it'll take some beating to knock it off!