John Torode has said the BBC and Banijay didn’t pick up the phone to tell him he was sacked from MasterChef.
The TV chef, 59, was dismissed from MasterChef after an allegation that he used “extremely offensive” racist language was upheld. He said there was an allegation that he made a remark using racist language in 2018 or 2019 and that he apologised immediately after. Torode added: “I do not believe that it happened.”
Read more: John Torode’s future with ITV revealed as he said he ‘never takes it for granted’
What did John Torode say?
After the news he got sacked, Torode wrote on Instagram: “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 the year of when I am meant to have said something wrong.
“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 the last few days seems to have prevented that. Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future.
Read more: Who is going to replace John Torode and Gregg Wallace on MasterChef?
“Celebrity MasterChef, which I recently filmed with Grace Dent along with two fantastic Christmas specials will be my last. Personally, I have loved every minute of working on MasterChef but it’s time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have.
MasterChef’s John Torode and Gregg Wallace pictured on the 20th series of MasterChef. (BBC)
“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. Life is everchanging and evermoving & sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. Thank you for many years of MasterChef.”
The TV chef was on MasterChef from 2005. He is married to Lisa Faulkner and the celebrity couple have written cookery books together as well as starring on TV shows alongside each other. Their latest show is the 10th series of John & Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen on ITV1 and ITVX that started on 6 July.
BBC and production company Banijay UK are “agreed” that Torode’s contract will not be renewed for another series of the popular show.
Lisa Faulkner and John Torode are both TV chefs. (Getty)
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. 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.”
What happened?
Gregg Wallace pictured with John Torode. (BBC)
The allegation emerged in law firm Lewis Silkin’s report commissioned by MasterChef production company Banijay UK to look into a separate matter, the behaviour of Gregg Wallace on the show.
Wallace said he was “deeply sorry for any distress caused” and he “never set out to harm or humiliate” after the report found 45 out of 83 allegations were upheld.
The “majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour”, the report found. Wallace’s return to MasterChef is “untenable”, the BBC has said.
There were two standalone allegations against other people that emerged in the report, including the racist language allegation about Torode.
John Torode filming Celebrity MasterChef with Gregg Wallace. (BBC)
Earlier on Tuesday, BBC director-general Tim Davie said he expected production company Banijay to “take action” when asked whether Torode would remain on the show.
The director-general said: “I think people appreciate I cannot now talk about individuals as we go through the process, and Banijay lead the process to take appropriate action on what they found through those upheld complaints.
“What I would say is there has to be follow-up, so the BBC, in some ways, we’re quite simple on this, if someone is found to not live up to the values, we expect the independent company, Banijay in this case, to take action and report back to us on what they have done.
“These aren’t BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken, that’s the first thing I’d say. I can’t comment, and I hope we appreciate this on individual conversations, that way it would not be appropriate or fair on anyone in terms of the series.”
John Torode after being made an MBE during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. (Getty)
It comes after The Sun claimed Torode was asked to resign and to blame mental health, but he refused. BBC News reported that “BBC insiders distanced themselves from that claim” on Monday night. Since then, Torode has been sacked.
Yahoo UK has reached out to John Torode and BBC representatives for comment.
What has John Torode said about the allegations?
Torode has said he is “shocked and saddened” by the allegation. He hasn’t had the chance to speak out since being dismissed from MasterChef.
In a statement, he wrote on Instagram on Monday night: “Following publication of the Executive Summary of the Investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace while presenting on MasterChef. (BBC)
“For the sake of transparency, I can confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019 in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malice way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.
“I have absolutely no recollection of any of this and I do not believe that it happened. However, I want to be clear that I’ve always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. I’m shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.”
Who will replace John Torode and Gregg Wallace on MasterChef?
John Torode and Grace Dent hosted Celebrity MasterChef. (BBC)
It isn’t known who will replace Wallace and Torode on MasterChef. BBC has yet to confirm whether Grace Dent will replace Wallace permanently on the main MasterChef series.
Dent was announced as Wallace’s replacement on Celebrity MasterChef while he stepped aside for the investigation last year. Filming for the Celebrity MasterChef series has now wrapped but it has yet to air on TV but it features Torode alongside Dent.
She said: “I’ve been watching MasterChef since I was a girl sitting with my dad on the sofa. My whole family watches it. It’s all about uncovering and championing talent – and to have ended up in this position, is more than a dream to me.
“I’m so excited that I can’t eat, which is severely detrimental to a restaurant critic. I feel very lucky to be stepping in for the next Celebrity MasterChef. I can’t wait to meet the fresh celebrity faces for 2025.”
It also remains unknown whether Dent will step into the same role on MasterChef: The Professionals.
Will Gregg Wallace’s last MasterChef series be axed?
A question mark remains over whether the BBC will air the last series that Wallace filmed for MasterChef. MasterChef can have a huge impact on the careers of chefs who take part in the process. For now, the TV show has been shelved.
A BBC spokesperson said: “At this stage we are not going to make a final decision on the broadcast of the series that was filmed last year. 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.”
The last Celebrity MasterChef that Wallace filmed was cancelled in 2024. Stars who took part — including Strictly’s Amy Dowden — voiced their disappointment with the decision.
What has Gregg Wallace said about the report?
Gregg Wallace has addressed the MasterChef report. (BBC)
In the wake of the MasterChef report, Wallace has said he is “deeply sorry for any distress caused” and that it was “never intended”.
He said, “For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud. Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait.
“None of the serious allegations against me were upheld. I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended.
“I’m relieved that the Banijay report fully recognises that my behaviour changed profoundly in 2018. Some of my humour and language missed the mark. I never set out to harm or humiliate. I always tried to bring warmth and support to MasterChef, on screen and off.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. (BBC)
“After nearly 20 years on the show, I now see that certain patterns, shaped by traits I’ve only recently begun to understand, may have been misread. I also accept that more could have been done, by others and by myself, to address concerns earlier.”
“A late autism diagnosis has helped me understand how I communicate and how I’m perceived. I’m still learning.”
He added: “To those who’ve shown kindness, thank you. It mattered. This has been brutal. For a working-class man with a direct manner, modern broadcasting has become a dangerous place. I was the headline this time. But I won’t be the last…
“There will be more casualties if the BBC continues down this path, where protecting its legacy matters more than protecting people. For my part, with full legal support, I will consider my next move.”