Overview
- Series 20 launched on 17 November on BBC One and iPlayer, with 15 episodes airing over five weeks and two Christmas specials scheduled.
- Grace Dent made her on-screen debut as judge, drawing early praise from viewers, while John Torode appears because the season was recorded before his dismissal.
- Banijay UK said all celebrities, contestants and guests confirmed they were happy for the pre-recorded episodes to be broadcast.
- Torode was removed from future MasterChef duties after an allegation of using racist language was upheld in the Lewis Silkin report; Gregg Wallace was sacked earlier after 45 complaints were upheld.
- The production unveiled a new Birmingham kitchen and format tweaks such as a blindfolded palate test, with a fuller presenting reset to come when Anna Haugh joins Dent next year.