John Torode‘s two-decade-long MasterChef career was over in just 24 hours after he was reportedly blindsided by the BBC and sacked without his knowledge.
The celebrity chef, 59, was yesterday dismissed from the cookery show after a report into the behaviour of his co-host Gregg Wallace found he had once used a ‘racist term’.
It was a sudden fall from grace for the loveable Aussie host who had presented MasterChef since 2005 and was also awarded an MBE for services to food and broadcasting three years ago.
Moreover, over the weekend food critic Grace Dent was pipped to become Torode’s new permanent co-star following Wallace’s suspension and dismissal.
The pair had already filmed a series of Celebrity MasterChef together and were reportedly due to start shooting the amateur version of the show in the summer.
On Tuesday, the BBC confirmed it had sacked Torode less than a day after he posted on Instagram that he was the subject of an allegation he used racist language.
He has denied having any recollection of using the term – and said no one can ‘even state the date or year’ of when the supposed wrongdoing took place.
It is understood, however, Torode, was the subject of multiple allegations but only one was substantiated.
John Torode and Lisa Faulkner having lunch in June as the investigation into Wallace was underway
Torode took to Instagram on Tuesday night after the Beeb said he would no longer be hosting MasterChef
The majority of the allegations against Gregg Wallace (94 per cent) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018
Wallace, 60, was suspended from MasterChef in November and sacked last week following a series of allegations against him, including one of unwanted touching.
Torode, on the other hand, has continued to host the show and recently filmed a new series of the celebrity version with Dent which was due to go out this autumn.
However, it is now thought that series and last year’s amateur version hosted by Torode and Wallace may never see the light of day.
Claims emerged last night that Torode was not told directly by the BBC that he had been sacked and instead found out after reading it online.
A source said according to The Sun: ‘John’s agent received a call 11 minutes before the statements went out and hadn’t had a chance to call him.
‘He read about it on the BBC News website.’
Meanwhile, Torode posted a lengthy statement on Instagram on Tuesday evening in which he said he was ‘seeing and reading’ he had been dropped from the show.
He wrote: ‘Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I’ve been ‘sacked’ from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I’m accused of.
‘The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong.
Torode and wife Lisa ate at a restaurant in London during the June heatwave
On Monday night Torode took to Instagram to confirm he had been accused of using racist language
Torode claimed he had ‘absolutely no recollection’ of the incident and did ‘not believe it happened’
‘I’d hoped that I’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.’
Torode said Celebrity MasterChef and two Christmas specials which he recently filmed ‘will be my last’. It is not clear if the BBC will air these shows.
He went on: ‘Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it’s time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have.
‘I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards. My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been.’
BBC director-general Tim Davie had earlier condemned the ‘serious racist term’ the Australian-born presenter was alleged to have used.
He went on: ‘It’s really important that we are taking this seriously. It’s a reset where we make sure that people are living up to the values we expect across the board.’
Asked exactly what Torode said, Davie replied: ‘I’m not going to give you the exact term, because I think, frankly it was serious racist term, a serious racist term, which does not get to be acceptable in any way, shape or form.’
It comes as a former member of MasterChef’s production team told The Telegraph that the show needed to reform.
BBC director-general Tim Davie on Tuesday spoke out about the ‘serious racist term’ Torode used (stock photo)
Wallace was previously blasted by disability charities for using his autism as an excuse for his behaviour
They said: ‘The people in power are the problem. They have enabled this behaviour and that needs to change.
‘I hope the show undergoes a cultural change now. This has been a long time coming.’
A statement from production company Banijay UK released earlier said: ‘In response to John Torode’s statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously.
‘The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018.
‘This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint.
‘Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.’
The Lewis Silkin report, commissioned by Banijay UK, found 45 out of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated, alongside two standalone allegations made against other people, including one for using racist language.
Torode previously said he had ‘no recollection of the incident’ and was ‘shocked and saddened’ by the allegation.
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him.
Wallace has hit out at the BBC with a new statement on Monday after 45 of 83 complaints against him were upheld in an independent probe
‘This allegation – which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace – was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm Lewis Silkin. John Torode denies the allegation.
‘He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment.
‘The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. John Torode’s contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.’
Davie insisted MasterChef does have a future with the broadcaster beyond 2028, when its current deal runs out, while presenting the corporation’s 2024/2025 annual report earlier on Tuesday.
Davie said: ‘I absolutely think it does (have a future), I think a great programme that’s loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals.
‘It absolutely can survive and prosper, but we’ve got to make sure we’re in the right place in terms of the culture of the show.’
Downing Street has said it ‘utterly condemns’ any instance of racist language after the allegation made against Torode was upheld.
‘When it comes to racism (it) clearly has no place at the BBC or anywhere in society, and we utterly condemn any instances of racist language or abuse in the strongest possible terms,’ Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said.
‘And it’s obviously up to the BBC, who are operationally independent from Government, to take forward any necessary next steps.’
The BBC said it has not yet made a final decision on whether to broadcast a series of MasterChef filmed last year with Wallace and Torode.
A spokesperson for the corporation said: ‘We know this is disappointing for fans of the show and those who took part, and at the appropriate time Banijay UK will consult further with the amateur contestants.’
In 2022, Torode was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, for services to food and charity.
He became a familiar face to TV audiences in 1996 as the resident chef on ITV’s This Morning, before joining MasterChef alongside Wallace when it was known as MasterChef Goes Large.
