Yahoo News US Bake Off axed as judge faces harassment claims
The US version of The Great British Bake Off has been axed following accusations of sexual misconduct against star Johnny Iuzzini.
Network ABC announced that the series – titled The Great American Baking Show – will not be back for the remainder of its third season. Iuzzini served as a judge alongside Paul Hollywood, who replaced Mary Berry on the US series this year.
"In light of allegations that recently came to our attention, ABC has ended its relationship with Johnny Iuzzini and will not be airing the remainder of The Great American Baking Show episodes," a network spokesperson said in a statement.
"ABC takes matters such as those described in the allegations very seriously and has come to the conclusion that they violate our standards of conduct."
Iuzzini, a renowned pastry chef, has faced accusations of inappropriate behaviour from four ex-employees at New York restaurant Jean-Georges. In a report by Mic, the unnamed women came forward with stories of sexual harassment and abusive behaviour.
Iuzzini has denied several of the allegations and said he was "shattered and heartbroken at the thought that any of my actions left members of my team feeling hurt or degraded".
The Great American Baking Show premiered its third season last Thursday (December 7) and was set to continue this week. ABC will announce the winner in due course.
The Stateside spin-off of Bake Off flopped on ABC last year, but producers made a few tweaks this season – including replacing Mary Berry with Paul Hollywood – in hopes it would revive the series.
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