John Torode has broken his silence 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.
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.
Torode has now spoken out, claiming he hadn’t heard about it from the BBC or Banijay UK, MasterChef’s production company. He reiterated that he has “no recollection” of the incident and has now criticsed the enquiry, claiming it is unable to clarify the date or year of the alleged incident.
(Image: BBC/Shine TV)
In a statement shared on social media, he said: “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.
(Image: BBC)
Torode continued: “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.
(Image: BBC/Shine TV)
He added: “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.”
The BBC said in their own statement: “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.
(Image: ITV)
“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 confirmed on Monday (July 14) that 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.
He 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.”
In their own statement, Banijay UK confirmed they had agreed with the BBC not to keep Torode on the show, writing: “In response to John Torode’s statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this 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.
“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.”
Torode had presented MasterChef with Wallace since 2005, and the pair hosted the star-studded spin-off, Celebrity MasterChef. The complaints upheld against Wallace included one of unwelcome physical contact and another three of being in a state of undress, but the majority related to inappropriate sexual language and humour.
Wallace said he had been “cleared of the most serious and sensational accusations” made against him. The presenter has also denied engaging in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.
He said “some of (his) humour and language missed the mark” and that he now sees “that certain patterns, shaped by traits I’ve only recently begun to understand, may have been misread.”
The presenter said he had received a “late autism diagnosis” which has helped him understand how he is “perceived”. He also criticised the BBC and claimed he had been subjected to a “trial by media”.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
