New MasterChef hosts replacing axed John Torode and Gregg Wallace ‘revealed’

The two TV chefs replacing John Torode and Gregg Wallace on MasterChef have reportedly been unveiled.

It’s believed Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt and Great British Menu star Andi Oliver will become the new hosts of the BBC cooking show. John Torode got the chop this week after being accused of using an “extremely offensive racist term” – which he has denied.

It came just days after Torode’s former co-host Wallace was sacked from the programme after 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.

It’s expected Matt and Andi will now front the scandal-hit show as part of a “dream line-up”, with food expert Grace Dent being brought in the celeb version. A source told The Sun: “Matt is seen as a really safe pair of hands by the BBC.

“He has been in the frame for some time and is now being lined up for MasterChef. The BBC are keen to bring Andi Oliver on board too. She has been so popular as host of the Great British Menu.

“They’re not sure if she can commit at this stage because of her schedule with that show but everyone is hoping they can get her on board. The source added: “Everyone loves Andi and she would be perfect for the role in many ways.

“She is very talented on her own merit but she would also help bring a more diverse look for the show, which is much needed. The last thing the show wants is to be slapped with being ‘pale, and stale’ by a new generation of food lovers.”

It’s said Dent, who was hosting Celebrity MasterChef with Torode, will likely remain as the host of the star-studded spin-off with Tebbutt. The source revealed nothing is “set in stone” but the trio are their dream line-up.

Torode confirmed on Monday (July 14) that he was the subject of the racism claim, upheld as part of an enquiry into separate claims against 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.”

After news of his BBC axe broke, he doubled down and re-iterated that he had no “recollection” of the alleged racism. 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.

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.

“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.

“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.

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