Inside MasterChef production company's ‘mortifying' summer party just hours after John Torode sacking
THE production company behind scandal-hit MasterChef was left blushing last night as the BBC show's latest behind-the-scenes drama overshadowed its big summer party.
Just hours before Banijay UK hosted its 'Summer Showcase' event at The Brewery in London, John Torode was axed from the programme.
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John Torode's MasterChef exit overshadowed Banijay UK's summer party, attendees have claimed
Credit: BBC
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The party was held at London's The Brewery
Credit: Alamy
The Australian chef, 59, who has hosted the show since 2005 was sacked for a racist comment he allegedly made seven years ago, which he has no recollection and denied ever saying.
Guests at the bash called the ill-timed night "the most awkward thing ever" and said that Torode's exit was all anyone could talk about.
An insider told The Sun: 'It couldn't have happened on a worse day. Obviously it had been in the diary for months but it was so embarrassing for the big bosses at Banijay.
"It was billed as their big showcase where they show off all their upcoming shows, and they have everyone there from production staff to stakeholders and commissioners from all the key channels.
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"Unfortunately, given that they announced the sacking of John Torode just hours before the party kicked off, it was all anyone could talk about. It was the most awkward party ever.
"The MasterChef situation was the gossip of the night, on what should have been an occasion to celebrate the company's successes and crow about what they had coming up.
"The big wigs didn't want to cancel it as that wouldn't have been a good look, but the powers that be couldn't wait for it to be over.'
Banijay UK declined to comment.
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BBC bosses branded the term Torode allegedly used "extremely offensive".
His exit followed the release of a report that upheld 45 of 83 allegations of bad behaviour against his co-host Gregg Wallace, who was axed last week.
'We'll never work with him again', blast BBC as Gregg Wallace report reveals 'substantial' allegations over 19 YEARS
The dossier also upheld a complaint that an unnamed person used a racial phrase once several years ago.
BBC's MasterChef meltdown
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Torode confirmed to The Sun it referred to him, but said: 'I have absolutely no recollection of this, and I do not believe that it happened.'
Not long after Torode had spoken out, 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.
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"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.'
Banijay wrote a statement which added: "In response to John Torode's statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously.
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"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.
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Torode's former co-host Gregg Wallace was also axed from the show
Credit: PA
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Torode has presented MasterChef since 2005
Credit: Shine Ltd
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Torode with his wife Lisa Faulkner
Credit: PA:Press Association
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"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, who has hosted the BBC1 cooking show with Wallace since 2005, was shocked to be told of the allegation — which did not receive a complaint at the time but had been raised with investigators.
MASTERCHEF SCANDAL TIMELINE
2005 to 2011: Problems with MasterChef began way back in the mid-2000s, with 27 substantiated claims made against host Gregg Wallace regarding alleged incidents in this period, according to a report by law firm Lewis Silkin.
Most of these were related to sexually explicit comments, although one allegation of unwanted physical contact in this period was also substantiated.
The same report found there was a failure by the production company to retain records of any actions taken during this time.
2012 to 2018: Another 17 allegations were upheld from this period, according to the report.
The production company behind MasterChef investigated an allegation about Wallace's behaviour in 2015 - but he was not made aware of the complaint.
In 2016, the production company merged with Endemol, introducing more formal policies as well as regular training and anonymous reporting lines.
The BBC intervened in response to a complaint in 2017, after which Wallace was then warned to change his behaviour.
2019 to 2024: One substantiated complaint about an inappropriate comment was from this time period.
November 2024: Wallace faces allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a 17-year period on a range of TV shows.
He steps away from presenting MasterChef while Banijay - the show's production company - announces it will conduct an external review to 'fully and impartially investigate' the claims against him.
Some of these allegations included Wallace 'talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to 'give her a fashion show', and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans'.
Banijay UK also confirms it has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged behaviour.
December 2024: Wallace posts a video on Instagram which claims accusations against him making sexual comments towards staff and guests have come from 'middle-class women of a certain age'.
His remarks are widely panned as "inappropriate and misogynistic', causing Wallace to apologise for any 'offence' or 'upset' he caused with his remarks, saying he will 'take some time out'.
Co-host John Torode says he 'loves being part of' the show and 'will continue to be a part of it'.
July 8 to 9, 2025: Wallace is sacked as MasterChef presenter following an enquiry into his alleged misconduct by Banijay.
In an Instagram post, the former greengrocer claimed he had been cleared of the 'most serious and sensational accusations' against him, ahead of the published review.
He also said he recognised that some of his humour and language was inappropriate 'at times' and apologised for this.
July 14, 2025: Lewis Silkin publishes its report, on behalf of Banijay.
It says that a total of 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Wallace during his time on the show were substantiated, including one allegation of 'unwelcome physical contact'.
It concludes that the 'majority of the substantiated allegations against Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour', adding that 'a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated'.
In the wake of the report's findings, Banijay says that 'Wallace's return to MasterChef (is) untenable'.
July 15, 2025: Co-host Torode is sacked after allegedly making a racist remark while on the show.
BBC bosses axe the TV host and slam an "extremely offensive" term, which was raised in the bombshell report into Gregg Wallace's "inappropriate behaviour".
Torode says the comment - which the report attributed to an unnamed person - referred to him, but added: 'I have absolutely no recollection of this, and I do not believe that it happened.'
'SHOCKED AND APPALLED'
It is understood to be the only issue involving him in the report, though a source close to him said he is 'absolutely devastated to have been pulled into this mess'.
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They went on: 'He was at drinks after filming when he is alleged to have used an inappropriate racial term.
"The witness said he apologised instantly, and he was mortified.
'The witness even stated he didn't use the term as a slur.
'No one complained at the time, but it's been brought up during the inquiry.
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"Shockingly he was only made aware of the incident two weeks ago and was only informed on Friday that it would be upheld."
The BBC called John on Thursday night, followed by an email on Friday, asking him to step back.
He was told to have his answer by Monday.
A source claimed: 'They ambushed him, and it was suggested he quit due to the stress and scrutiny of the furore around the show.
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'Obviously he was absolutely shocked and appalled and told them quite firmly he didn't have any mental health issues.
"To try to use mental health as a get-out clause seems incredibly low — and is also deeply unfair to those with genuine mental health trauma.
What did the report find?
FORTY-five allegations made against Gregg Wallace during his time on MasterChef, including one of "unwelcome physical contact", were found to have been substantiated.
An independent report commissioned by production company Banijay assessed 83 allegations against Wallace.
The report substantiated:
- Twelve claims he made inappropriate jokes and innuendo;
- Sixteen reports he made sexually explicit comments;
- Two allegations that he made sexualised comments to or about someone;
- Four complaints that he made culturally insensitive or racist comments;
- Three claims that he was in a state of undress;
- Seven allegations of bullying;
- One allegation of unwanted touching.
The allegations span from 2005 to 2024
'John absolutely loves MasterChef, and doesn't want to lose his job because of an investigation into his co-star.'
Melbourne-born John moved to the UK in 1991 and started working in London restaurants including Quaglino's.
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It was there he met greengrocer Wallace, who provided their veg.
He started cooking on This Morning in 1996 before he and Wallace began hosting the revamped MasterChef in 2005.
GREGG WALLACE SCANDAL
The bombshell inquiry, carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin for production company Banijay, unveiled a litany of complaints against Gregg Wallace.
The report found out of the 83 allegations against the host, 45 were substantiated.
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Most of them involved inappropriate sexual language and humour.
Of the substantiated claims regarding Wallace, some related to other inappropriate language, being in a state of undress, and one case of unwanted physical contact.
The report concluded 94 per cent of the allegations against Wallace related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018.
There was one substantiated allegation after 2018.
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