John Torode AXED from MasterChef after ‘racist remark' as BBC slam ‘extremely offensive' term

Scottish Sun

14 hours ago

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JOHN Torode has been sacked from MasterChef after allegedly making a racist remark.
The BBC have axed the TV host and slammed an "extremely offensive" term raised in the Lewis Silkin investigation.
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It comes after his former co-host Gregg Wallace was also axed from the show
Credit: PA
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John Torode has been sacked from MasterChef
Credit: Rex Features
It comes as the report upheld 45 of 83 allegations of bad behaviour against his co-host Gregg Wallace, who was also axed last week.
The dossier also upheld a complaint that an unnamed person used a racial phrase once several years ago.
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.'
The BBC also told the MasterChef presenter to pretend he had mental health issues after accusing him of racism, it was claimed.
The stunned Aussie, 59, was asked to resign over the weekend after being dragged into the Gregg Wallace scandal.
A BBC spokesperson has now confirmed Torode has been axed from the show.
A statement read: '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.'
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.
"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.
"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.
The BBC was unable to specify the time or date of the allegation, narrowing it down to '2018 or 2019'.
Sources said the BBC and production company Banijay asked John to resign from the beleaguered show last week and claim he had mental health problems — to which he refused.
He issued a statement to The Sun confirming he was the individual in the Wallace investigation who was 'alleged to have used racial language on one occasion'.
However John — married to actress and ex-Celebrity MasterChef contestant Lisa Faulkner, 53 — believes it never even happened.
The dad of four said: 'The allegation is I did so sometime between 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and the person I was speaking with did not believe it was intended in a malicious way and 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.'
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'.
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.
"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.
'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.
'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.
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.