EXCLUSIVE: John Torode has been axed from MasterChef after being accused of using an “extremely offensive racist term” (which he denies), but he’s given a career lifeline by ITV
John Torode has been given a lifeline by ITV after being axed from MasterChef.
The 59-year-old chef has been sacked from the BBC cooking show after being accused of using an “extremely offensive racist term” – which he has denied. The BBC confirmed that the star’s contract would “not be renewed” after the complaint was upheld against him.
But bosses at ITV plan to keep airing the cookery series he fronts with wife Lisa Faulkner. A representative last night confirmed to the Daily Star there are no plans to drop it from the schedule.
The latest episode of John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen is due to be broadcast as planned on Saturday morning (July 19) and then throughout the summer. There are also plans to air a festive special later this year.
Execs at ITV are backing him despite him being axed by the BBC over claims he used a racist term. A TV insider said: “ITV plan to keep airing John’s show.
“This is a major lifeline for him. It’s an indication that he could still have a TV career despite all the controversy. He will be thrilled to see they’re backing him.”
John, 59, and Lisa, 53, have admitted they feel lucky to have careers in TV. In a statement earlier this month, they said: “We love our little show and we feel so grateful we get to do it.
“We have such an amazing team who give us so much freedom to just cook together and it’s always the food we love and believe in. We never take it for granted as we just love doing our show!”
John’s reputation has been left in tatters over his sacking from the BBC. A investigation upheld a claim he used an “extremely offensive” racist term while working on MasterChef.
Australia-born John said: “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.”
He added: “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.”
John has fronted MasterChef and its celebrity spin-off for two decades. The star admitted he has loved working on the show, saying: “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.” He added: “I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards.”
The BBC said of Torode’s axe: “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.”
Torode said he has “no recollection” of the alleged racism incident in his initial statement on Monday (July 14), when he confirmed he was the subject of the racism claim, upheld as part of an inquiry into separate allegations against his co-star Wallace.
He denied the event happened, saying he has “no recollection” of such a thing. The chef said: “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 between 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.
“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.”
It comes just days after Torode’s former MasterChef co-host Gregg Wallace was sacked from the show. A report found that 45 out of 83 complaints about Wallace’s behaviour were upheld following a review into his conduct – the upheld claims include one of unwelcome physical contact and three of being in a state of undress.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
