John Torode and Gregg Wallace for MasterChef S20 / BBC
John Torode has been sacked as host of MasterChef following allegations that he made a racist comment several years ago, the BBC has announced.
The news comes a day after the broadcaster formally parted ways with Torode’s co-host Gregg Wallace after an independent investigation upheld 45 complaints against him alleging inappropriate behaviour.
As part of the same investigation, a complaint that Torode made a ‘racist’ remark in a social setting seven to eight years ago was also upheld.
Torode outed himself following the publication of the report but insisted that he could not recall the incident while affirming his belief that “any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment”.
A BBC spokesperson said: “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.”
The BBC now faces a serious dilemma over what to do with the two unaired series featuring Torode – including one also with Wallace. The main MasterChef series was filmed at the end of last year and was due to air in the Spring, while Celebrity MasterChef, which Torode hosted with food critic Grace Dent, was filmed at the start of the year and was due to air this Summer.
The franchise’s future itself appears solid despite the scandals, with the year-round production producing four separate shows and employing hundreds of people.
The BBC’s contract with production company Banijay runs until at least 2028, with this year also marking the show’s relocation from London to a new purpose-built studio in Birmingham.
