For nearly 20 years, John Torode was a familiar face in living rooms across the UK as the cheerful Aussie voice of MasterChef.
But that long-running chapter came to an abrupt and unexpected close this week—and not in the way anyone, including Torode himself, anticipated.
The BBC Reportedly Sacked Torode Without Telling Him Directly
Torode, 59, found out he was no longer part of the show not through a phone call or a meeting—but by reading about it online.
According to sources, his agent got a call from the BBC just 11 minutes before the official press release was sent out.
By the time Torode heard anything at all, the headlines were already live.
He addressed the situation himself on Instagram, admitting he was still in the dark about the details.
“Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay,” he wrote, “I’m seeing and reading that I’ve been ‘sacked’ from MasterChef.”
The Fallout From Gregg Wallace’s Investigation Dragged in Torode
The shock exit came just days after a damning internal report into Torode’s long-time co-host, Gregg Wallace.
Wallace had already been dismissed by the BBC after an investigation conducted by law firm Lewis Silkin upheld 45 misconduct allegations against him—including claims of unwanted touching.
While Wallace’s case was far more extensive, the same inquiry also looked into allegations involving others connected to the show.
In Torode’s case, one claim involving the use of a racial slur from 2018 was reportedly upheld—despite his denial and lack of memory of the alleged incident.
Torode Strongly Denies the Allegation
In his social media statement, Torode said he has no recollection of using any racist term and added that no one has been able to provide him with a date or even a year of when it supposedly happened.
“I’d hoped I would have some say in my exit from a show I’ve worked on since 2005,” he wrote, “but events in the last few days seem to have prevented that.”
The Future of MasterChef Episodes Already Filmed Remains Unclear
Torode and food critic Grace Dent had recently wrapped filming a new season of Celebrity MasterChef along with two holiday specials.
But it’s now uncertain whether those episodes will ever be shown.
Even the amateur version of MasterChef, which Torode filmed with Wallace last year, may not make it to air.
The BBC said it hasn’t made a final decision, but promised to consult with contestants at the appropriate time.
BBC and Production Company Stand Firm
The BBC and Banijay UK, the show’s production company, released a joint statement confirming that Torode’s contract will not be renewed.
The decision, they said, followed the substantiated allegation of “highly offensive racist language.”
While Torode has publicly rejected the claim and says racism is “wholly unacceptable in any environment,” the BBC has made clear it is taking the matter very seriously.
“We will not tolerate racist language of any kind,” said a spokesperson.
Tim Davie and Downing Street Weigh In
BBC Director-General Tim Davie echoed those sentiments during the broadcaster’s annual report presentation.
“This was a serious racist term,” he said. “It has no place in our organisation.”
Even 10 Downing Street issued a statement, with a spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying the government “utterly condemns” the use of racist language in any form.
Calls for Cultural Change Behind the Scenes
A former production team member told The Telegraph that MasterChef’s issues run deeper than any one individual.
“The people in power are the problem,” they said, adding that the show has long needed a cultural reset.
They hope this moment triggers genuine change behind the scenes, beyond the headlines and public statements.
A Farewell From Torode—And a Hint of What’s Next
Despite the way things ended, Torode tried to stay gracious in his goodbye.
“I have loved every minute working on MasterChef,” he wrote.
“But it’s time to pass the cutlery to someone else.”
While it’s not the exit he wanted, the veteran TV chef says he’s now focusing on “many other exciting projects.”
After two decades of tasting everything under the sun, he joked, “My tummy will be grateful for a rest.”
A Legacy of Food and Television
Torode’s MasterChef journey began back in 2005.
Before that, he was best known for his cooking segments on ITV’s This Morning.
In 2022, he was awarded an MBE for his services to food and charity—cementing his status as one of the UK’s most recognisable culinary figures.
The future of MasterChef without Torode remains to be seen, but as Davie said, the show may continue beyond 2028.
“A great programme is bigger than any one person,” he insisted.
