Aussie chef, John Torode, has been sacked from MasterChef after an historic accusation of racism, which he claims he has no memory of and denies ever happened

John Torode has been sacked from MasterChef in another bombshell blow for the show. Just days after Gregg Wallace, 60, was axed from the BBC series following an investigation into his behaviour, John, 59, has also been stood down after a historic accusation of racism.

In bombshell news, John, who has hosted MasterChef for nearly 20 years, confirmed yesterday he was the person alleged to have used racist language after an investigation into his former co-star. However, John said he had no memory of making the comment and denies it ever happened.

Following the furore, he has now been sacked from the long-running show, with the BBC confirming today: “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.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace have now both been sacked from MasterChef (
Image:
BBC)

“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.”

Shortly after the BBC’s announcement, John took to social media to claim he had not been personally informed of his sacking. In a statement shared on Instagram, he wrote: “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 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 last few days seem 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.
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 working on MasterChef, but it’s time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have.

“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 ever moving & sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. Thank you for the many years of MasterChef. JOHN TORODE.”

It comes after Gregg was also sacked from MasterChef (
Image:
BBC/Shine TV)
Gregg, who has also presented MasterChef since it started in 2005, has also been sacked from the show after an inquiry for production company, Banijay, revealed that 45 out of 83 accusations against the father of three were corroborated. The report also brought to light two separate claims implicating others, with one involving racist remarks.

The production company, Banijay, said that it had taken the 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, “ they stated.

“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.”

It had been reported that the BBC and production company Banijay asked John to resign following the report’s findings and cite mental issues as the reason last week – which he reportedly refused to do. The Mirror contacted the BBC and representatives for Torode for comment on this claim.

On Instagram, the chef, who is married to actress, Lisa Faulkner, disclosed he is the accused individual regarding the alleged racist remark, but professed “no recollection of the incident” and expressed being “shocked and saddened”.

John recently shared a statement on the racism claim (
Image:
Instagram)
His Instagram statement read: “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. For the sake of transparency, I 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 malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.”

John Torode has been sacked from MasterChef in another bombshell blow for the show (
Image:
BBC)
When asked if John should follow Gregg out the door yesterday, BBC general Tim Davie said: “In terms of the report that was done it had very clear learnings.

“I’m sure you’ll have seen the summary that had all the allegations against Greg Wallace. It also had two allegations upheld on two individuals. I think people appreciate that 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, were quite simple on this, which is, if someone has found to not live 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.”