The BBC is under increasing pressure to pull the current series of MasterChef off air amid allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour against Gregg Wallace.
The presenter “stepped away” from the cooking show last week after the programme’s production company began an investigation into the allegations.
The corporation has been urged to send a “strong signal” and not air this series’ remaining episodes, after the 60-year-old presenter claimed complaints had come from a “handful of middle-class women of a certain age”.
The 17th series of MasterChef: The Professionals is due to air at 9pm on Monday, with the competition at the semi-final stage.
But Dr Rupa Huq, the Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton, said although Wallace has stepped back, it would make no difference as he would still be “dangled on our screens”.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Dr Huq said: “I think possibly there is an argument for pausing while this investigation takes its course and maybe not airing it tonight.
“It could be massively triggering for the women involved – in fact any woman involved in any type of similar incidents.
“Because otherwise – I know you’re saying he’s stopped presenting – but to the casual viewer there’s not going to be any difference if it’s on TV tonight.
“It looks like he got away with it and I think the BBC should send a strong signal.
“We need to let the investigation do its work but at the same time if he’s being dangled on our screens when all this is going on – I just think at the moment maybe pause it.”
Last week, Banijay UK, the production company that makes MasterChef for the BBC, said it was conducting “an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate”.
But Dr Huq said the BBC should not “hide behind” the production company.
“It does beg the question, when these BBC investigations have happened what were the consequences?” she continued.
“I don’t think this is what people pay the licence fee for. People expect higher standards.”
Wallace presents MasterChef: The Professionals last week with Monica Galetti – BBC
Dr Huq said: “The BBC says it has high standards and that should apply to everyone in its structures as well. The BBC itself has to have robust processes.
“I feel that if you let this programme go out, it kind of sends the signal that it is okay. If it was taken off for now it would send a strong signal that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable.”
‘Banter would largely be led by men’
Helen Lederer, a comedian, twice participated on the celebrity version of the competition.
Speaking about her time on the show, she told the Today programme: “Obviously in those days, going in a purportedly funny person you arrive being funny and very quickly you understand the culture.
“It’s a competition so there’s a bit of gravitas coming from the leaders. The banter would largely be – as it was in those days and still is to some extent today with the men – led by the men.
“That was the culture I experienced. I think it’s important to try not to be a victim of it, but I think people speaking up now proves how there’s a seismic change in boundaries and how people express themselves.”
On whether she had been subject to any comments from Wallace, she said: “I did not experience the kind of behaviour that has been expressed very eloquently by others.
“But I would say it’s [an] insidious culture that was normalised in those days, less so now.
“Equally, they’re in a position of authority, it is a competition and the person was chosen for the cheeky-chappy style.
“So if you choose the differentness of the two characters for the purposes of your audience and making money, it is increasingly apparent the awareness should be increased to go, ‘OK, there should be some surveillance of putting someone in that position of power and has a tendency to behave in this way.’”
On whether the episodes should be pulled, she added: “I suppose more people would watch it given the controversy, but I think it’s been very coloured by the piling in and the debate
“It’s an opportunity to make a stand, either by not watching it or not putting it on.”
The BBC has been approached for comment.
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