John Torode has been sacked from MasterChef after a report into his co-host Gregg Wallace found he had used an ‘extremely offensive racist term’.
The MasterChef star announced the finding in a social media post last night, but he insisted it had ‘no recollection’ of the incident and did not believe it happened.
However, Banijay UK – the production company that makes the show – said it had decided not to renew his contract.
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him.
‘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.
John Torode and Lisa Faulkner having lunch in June as the investigation into Wallace was underway
The pair ate at a restaurant in London during the June heatwave
Last night, Torode took to Instagram to confirm he had been accused of using racist language
‘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.’
A Banijay spokesperson 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 statements came shortly after BBC director general Tim Davie refused to back Torode and said he ‘expects action to be taken’ following racism allegations.
He delivered the remarks yesterday as the BBC released its annual report, an occasion overshadowed by controversies for the second year in a row. Last year’s was published amid the fallout from the Huw Edwards scandal.
Torode admitted that a claim he once used racist language had been upheld by a report into his co-presenter, Gregg Wallace
Torode claimed he had ‘absolutely no recollection’ of the incident and did ‘not believe it happened’
Wallace co-hosted MasterChef for 17 years alongside John Torode (left)
The majority of the allegations against Mr Wallace (94 per cent) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018
Mr Davie said the cookery show can still ‘survive and prosper’ at the BBC following Wallace’s sacking after dozens of complaints against him were upheld, along with a complaint that Torode once used ‘racist language’.
Asked about the Torode racism row, Mr Davie said: ‘The BBC in some ways are quite simple on this, if someone is found to not live up to our values we expect the independent company, Banijay in this case, to take action and report back to us on what they have done.
‘These are not BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken.’
The director general added: ‘I think it’s a great programme that’s well 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.’
He said a decision was yet to be taken on whether to broadcast the series of MasterChef that was filmed last Autumn with Wallace, 60, and Torode, 59.
Mr Davie also said that the BBC’s turbulent year had been a ‘tough period’ for him, but he received the backing of the corporation’s chairman yesterday despite criticism from Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.
