The star – who was axed from the BBC show – described Grace Dent’s support as “unfailing” as he blasted his detractors as a “cult.”
19:00, 05 Jan 2026Updated 19:07, 05 Jan 2026
John Torode has spoken out about Grace Dent (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Shine TV)
Presenter John Torode has opened up about Masterchef host Grace Dent in the wake of his racism row. The star – who was axed from the BBC show – described her support as “unfailing” as he blasted his detractors as a “cult.”
And he also called wife Lisa, 53, his “rock” and “wonder woman.” Dent, 52, starred alongside Torode, 60, on Celebrity Masterchef, which was filmed before he was sacked.
Writing on his substack, he said: “Grace Dent: What a strong extraordinary woman. Grace stands up for all that she believes in and supports. Graceful and never scared of doing the right thing or worried that the cult might too ostracize her. It was a privilege to stand by her side. Her support unfailing.”
He also said of wife Lisa, who he married in 2019 after meeting on Celebrity Masterchef in 2010: “My Rock, my best friend, my love, my wife, a Wonder Women. Nothing else needs to be said. Dent has previously stood by Torode, calling him “one of the kindest, most concerned, clever, thoughtful men that I know.”
READ MORE: Gregg Wallace says he is victim of ‘terrible injustice’ as he takes fight to the BBC
John Torode and wife Lisa(Image: ISOIMAGES LTD)
She also recently showed her support for him after posting a string of pictures together, after the Celebrity Masterchef final aired. Dent is currently filming her first edition of the regular MasterChef as its presenter, where she will be hosting alongside chef Anna Haugh.
Both Torode and his on-screen partner Gregg Wallace were both sacked from the show after 21 years in July. In Torode’s case, the BBC upheld a complaint he had used “an extremely offensive racist term” during production, which he denies.
The BBC said: “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. The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. John Torode’s contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.”
John Torode is no longer on MasterChef(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Torode has previously said how therapy has helped him cope with the “unexpected and brutal life change” of his firing from the hit show. Wallace’s dismissal followed a report that upheld more than 40 allegations about his conduct on MasterChef, including one of unwelcome physical contact and three of being in a state of undress.#
He has since submitted a claim at the High Court claiming up to £10,000 in damages from the BBC for allegedly causing him “distress and harassment”. Wallace claims the broadcaster failed to comply with his request for copies of his personal data related to “his work, contractual relations and conduct” after sacking him in July.
He could launch a second action regarding his sacking which centres on his autism diagnosis, which he was diagnosed with at the beginning of last year.