John Torode aims swipe at BBC after MasterChef axe

John Torode has claimed that he learned about his axe from MasterChef through an alert from BBC News.

The chef was let go from his job as host of the cookery franchise after 20 years yesterday following the publication of the results of an investigation into his co-host Gregg Wallace.

Wallace was formally sacked on Monday after the report upheld 45 complaints against him for inappropriate language and behaviour, but the investigation also unearthed an upheld complaint against Torode, who was said to have used a racist comment in a social setting seven years ago.

Torode said that he could not recall having made the comments and was almost certain that the incident did not happen, but nevertheless the BBC took the decision to part ways with him after two decades.

Taking to Instagram after the BBC’s announcement, he wrote: “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.

“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.”

The BBC is still to make a decision on what to do with the many unaired episodes of MasterChef – the main 2025 series with Torode and Wallace, two Christmas 2024 specials with Torode and Wallace, the 2025 celebrity series with Torode and two Christmas 2025 specials with Torode.