Two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials have been pulled from the BBC's schedule after Gregg Wallace stepped away from hosting the cooking show, a BBC spokesperson has said.
The broadcaster previously announced a Celebrity MasterChef Cook Off and a Strictly Festive Extravaganza as part of its Christmas schedule, both billed as hour-long programmes for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
A BBC spokesperson said: "As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition, which is life-changing for the chefs taking part, and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned.
"The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them."
Wallace, 60, apologised on Monday for claiming complaints about his alleged behaviour came from "a handful of middle-class women of a certain age", adding he will now "take some time out".
He faces allegations from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News last Thursday. Others have since discussed their alleged experiences.
Wallace's lawyers said last week that "it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature".
Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off, co-hosted by Wallace, was to see celebrities competing for the glittery Golden Whisk Trophy.
Emmerdale actor Amy Walsh, comedian Shazia Mirza, reality star Luca Bish, and The Wanted singer Max George, who all appeared on Celebrity MasterChef last year, were set to feature.
The BBC previously announced the Strictly Come Dancing-themed special would involve appearances from professional dancers Amy Dowden, Gorka Márquez, Kai Widdrington, and Nancy Xu.
Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse was billed as a mystery guest on the show with the dancers having to create a two-course menu that would impress the judges.
A BBC series of MasterChef: The Professionals has remained on air since it was announced that Wallace would step down amid the external review by MasterChef's production company, Banijay UK.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's official spokesperson said on Monday, when asked if the cookery show should be pulled off air, that the decision was for the BBC and the show's production company and reiterated that Downing Street believes it is "right" that a thorough investigation is conducted.
Downing Street also said that the TV star's response to the accusations being made against him was "inappropriate and misogynistic" and confirmed that Britain's Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy held talks with BBC bosses in the wake of the Wallace row.
Source: Press Association
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