MasterChef host John Torode subject of “racism” allegation

MasterChef host John Torode has revealed that a complaint of racism levelled against him has been upheld by an independent investigation.

Law firm Lewis Silkin undertook an extensive investigation on behalf of MasterChef production company Banijay following a series of allegations levelled against co-host Gregg Wallace relating to inappropriate workplace language, behaviour and more serious allegations of “groping”.

The results of that investigation were published on Monday, concluding that 45 of 83 complaints against Wallace had been upheld, including one of “unwelcome physical contact”.

The BBC officially let Wallace go from his job on the franchise, while the star himself said that he was “deeply sorry for any distress” caused and had “never set out to harm or humiliate”.

The report also upheld two complaints involving other people – one involving an alleged ‘racist’ comment – and on Monday night Torode revealed that the complaint was about him.

In a statement, 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 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.

“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.”

Torode’s future on the show is now also in question following the news, as the BBC faces a wider issue of what to do with the show and its spinoffs.

A series of the main MasterChef show with Wallace and Torode was filmed last year and has yet to be broadcast, while a series of Celebrity MasterChef with Torode and Grace Dent was filmed earlier this year and has also yet to be broadcast.

Quizzed on Torode by journalists today, BBC director-general Tim Davie said: “I would say, there has to be follow-up.

“The BBC in some ways are quite simple on this, if someone is found to not live up to our values we expect the independent company, Banjay in this case, to take action and report back to us on what they have done.

“These are not BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken. But I can’t comment, and I hope you appreciate this on individual conversations. It would not be appropriate or fair on anyone in terms of the series.”