It’s been a dramatic day for fans of MasterChef as the popular cooking show says goodbye to one of its familiar faces.
John Torode, the well-known co-host, will not be returning after an investigation found he used an extremely offensive racist term.
This news comes hot on the heels of similar findings against his fellow presenter Gregg Wallace.
John Torode Responds to Allegations with Denial and No Memory of Incident
John Torode took to social media last night to share his side of the story.
He admitted that an allegation against him had been upheld but maintained he had no recollection of the incident and firmly denied it ever happened.
Despite his denial, Torode expressed that any racist language is totally unacceptable.
Production Company Decides Not to Renew Torode’s Contract
The production company behind MasterChef, Banijay UK, announced it would not be renewing John Torode’s contract.
This decision followed an independent investigation led by the law firm Lewis Silkin, which substantiated the complaint from 2018.
Banijay UK emphasized that the issue was taken very seriously and discussed formally with Torode.
BBC Director-General Calls for Action and Stresses Show’s Future
The BBC’s director-general, Tim Davie, weighed in during the release of the corporation’s annual report, saying that while John Torode and Gregg Wallace are not BBC employees, the BBC expects production companies to take action when their values are not met.
Davie reassured fans that MasterChef is bigger than any one individual and that the show can continue to thrive if it upholds the right culture.
BBC and Banijay Stress Zero Tolerance for Racist Language
A spokesperson for the BBC underlined that racist language of any kind is absolutely unacceptable and praised the decision to take swift action.
Banijay UK echoed these sentiments, stating the seriousness of the allegations and confirming they are aligned with the BBC in their commitment to maintaining standards.
Investigation Details and Past Complaints Surface
The legal probe, which also focused on allegations against Gregg Wallace, revealed a series of complaints, including dozens upheld against Wallace and the single upheld complaint against Torode.
The incident involving Torode dates back to 2018, and while he denies remembering it, the complaint was substantiated after a thorough investigation.
What This Means for MasterChef and Its Fans
While this is undoubtedly a tough blow for the show and its loyal viewers, both the BBC and Banijay are keen to stress that MasterChef will continue.
The focus now turns to rebuilding trust and ensuring the programme remains a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone involved.
Summary of Statements from Those Involved
-
John Torode: Denies incident, no memory of event, condemns any racist language.
-
Banijay UK: Takes allegation seriously, upheld by independent investigation, contract not renewed.
-
BBC: Zero tolerance for racism, expects action from independent companies, supports show’s continuation.
-
Director-General Tim Davie: Show is bigger than individuals, culture must improve, action expected.