Matt Tebbutt throws his support behind John Torode despite being lined up to replace him on MasterChef
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
SATURDAY Kitchen star Matt Tebbutt has publicly backed John Torode after the BBC asked him to step away from his MasterChef job.
Even though Tebbutt, 51, is among the favourites to replace Torode, 59, should he walk away from the programme, he liked the Australian chef's rebuttal of an accusation of racism levelled against him.
5
Matt Tebbutt is a front runner to replace John Torode on MasterChef
Credit: PA
5
Torode has denied using racist language after an allegation was made against him
Credit: PA
5
Tebbutt liked Torode's statement in which he defended himself against an historic claim of racism
Torode posted a statement on social media last night in which he confirmed he was the unnamed party who allegedly used racist language in an report into former co-star Gregg Wallace's conduct.
He insists he has no memory of the incident and denies it ever happened. So far, he has not fallen on his sword and currently remains as the show's host.
The claim against him emerged as part of an investigation into his shamed former co-star Gregg Wallace that saw 45 of 83 allegations of bad behaviour upheld against him.
While food critic Grace Dent has already led the celebrity version of the show and is a favourite to present the amateur version too, Tebbutt is also being lined up.
It's believed he has already landed the job fronting MasterChef: The Professionals. He has experience of taking over a popular food show after the departure of an established host.
Tebbutt replaced James Martin on Saturday Kitchen in 2016 after the Yorkshireman left the Beeb to host his own Saturday morning show on rival network ITV.
A TV insider said: 'Both Grace and Matt are well thought of at the Beeb and the one thing they want in the wake of the show's recent crisis is familiarity and safety.
'They're also conscious that having a male and female pairing is a welcome break from it being fronted by two blokes.'
Meanwhile, Torode was cited — but not named — in findings published over a racist remark he allegedly made during a private conversation.
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.
'Devastated' Gregg Wallace FIRED by BBC over MasterChef sexual comments
In a farcical turn of events, the BBC was unable to specify the time or date of the allegation, narrowing it down to '2018 or 2019'.
Shockingly, 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.'
5
John married actress and ex-Celebrity MasterChef contestant Lisa Faulkner
Credit: PA:Press Association
5
John and Gregg began hosting a revamped MasterChef in 2005
Credit: Shine Ltd
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."
John Torode's statement in full
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 between 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.
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."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
40 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
John Torode 'blindsided' by BBC sacking him from MasterChef in the most brutal way
Chef John Torode was reportedly axed from MasterChef yesterday after BBC boss Tim Davie said no star was bigger than the show - and it's now emerged how John found out Masterchef's John Torode was left in shock yesterday after he found out he had been unceremoniously dropped from the popular cooking series, having discovered his fate on the BBC website. The unexpected ousting followed comments from BBC boss Tim Davie, who stated that no presenter is bigger than the show itself, as reported by The Sun. The famed cook, aged 59, was reportedly devastated when the BBC and production company Banijay confirmed his sudden exit amid allegations of racist language, coming in the wake of the explosive Gregg Wallace scandal. An insider disclosed: "John had no idea. He was blindsided." In a remarkable turn of events, it emerged that the Aussie chef's representative was given a mere 11 minutes' heads-up before the news was made public, reports the Express. An source shared: "John's agent received a call 11 minutes before the statements went out and hadn't had a chance to call him. "He read about it on the BBC News website. Obviously he's heartbroken. "He feels he's been made a scapegoat off the back of the Gregg Wallace report." Despite the controversy, Torode took to Instagram with a resolute message: "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. "I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else." The shocking report into the conduct of MasterChef co-host Gregg Wallace, 60, validated an astonishing 45 out of 83 complaints dating from 2005 to 2024, culminating in his own spectacular downfall. As we disclosed yesterday, BBC executives had insisted at the weekend that Torode step down, alleging he was grappling with mental health problems. He declined to do so.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
BBC boss' damning verdict when asked EXACTLY what MasterChef's John Torode said
John Torode's contract on MasterChef will not be renewed, the BBC and production company Banijay UK said on Tuesday, following an allegation of using racist language Offensive language John Torode allegedly used on MasterChef was a "serious racist term," a BBC boss has stressed. Tim Davie, director-general of the BBC, said the slur was so severe he was not prepared to repeat it when pressed by journalists what exactly Torode is alleged to have used. The presenter was sacked from his role on MasterChef last night, after the allegation he used racist language was investigated and substantiated by an independent investigation led by a top law firm. Although he denies the allegations, Torode, 59, follows Gregg Wallace, 60, out of the door, departures which put the future of already recorded celebrity and amateur versions of the BBC show in doubt. But Mr Davie, 58, last night insisted MasterChef does have a future with the broadcaster beyond 2028, when its current deal runs out. Asked exactly what Torode said, Mr Davie last night replied: "I'm not going to give you the exact term, because I think, frankly it was serious racist term, a serious racist term, which does not get to be acceptable in any way, shape or form." In relation to MasterChef's future, the BBC boss continued: "I absolutely think it does (have a future), I think a great programme that's loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals. It absolutely can survive and prosper, but we've got to make sure we're in the right place in terms of the culture of the show." Torode and Wallace had fronted the show since it was revived as MasterChef Goes Large in 2005. When Wallace was axed, it was thought Grace Dent would replace the former greengrocer, having covered for him on Celebrity MasterChef earlier this year. Torode's absence leaves questions on who may work alongside Ms Dent, a food critic with prior TV and journalism experience. Torode last night continued to insist he had no knowledge of the "offensive" comment he is accused of making, despite lawyers Lewis Silkin upholding the complaint, said to be from 2018. It also emerged on Tuesday the defiant presenter, who also appears on This Morning, found out about his dismissal through the BBC News website. He claims he was never contacted by the BBC or MasterChef's production company about their decision not to renew his contract on the cooking programme, of which he has been part for 20 years. A statement from Banijay UK, the programme's production company, said: "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."
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Inside the eerie UK 'plane graveyard' where jumbo jets from around the world are ditched
For the past 30 years, Mark Gregory's Air Salvage International (ASI) has been assessing, chopping up, disassembling, and recycling planes at the private airfield, which sits two miles from Kemble in Gloucestershire What connects Saddam Hussein, Tom Cruise and Doctor Who? Cotswolds Airport, of course. The mass murderer, the action star, and the BBC space drama have all starred, in their own way, at one of the most curious pieces of the aviation industry: the plane graveyard. For the past 30 years, Mark Gregory's Air Salvage International (ASI) has been assessing, chopping up, disassembling, and recycling planes at the private airfield, which sits two miles from Kemble in Gloucestershire. Armed with redundancy money in the early '90s, Mark bought his first plane and spent six months breaking it down into sellable bits. More than 1,400 aircraft later, the business is thriving and employs dozens of people to cope with the growing demand from the ever-expanding aviation industry. And there are big bucks at stake. The equivalent of a commercial jet's MOT costs around £1 million, which is why many plane owners decide to send their ageing aircraft to Mark instead. Sometimes as much as £12 million can be salvaged from them, either in reusable parts or recyclable materials. There are a few other strings to the business's bow, Mark explained as he took me on a tour around the facility. ASI puts on dramatic training scenarios for organisations including the SAS, helping them practise plane-related emergencies. One mock-up situation had Mark and his team crush a van with a plane fuselage, creating a tricky day out for the special forces, who also had to deal with hijackers and "injured" passengers on board. The airport and its jets are also movie stars. Countless films have been shot at ASI, including The Fast and the Furious 6, World War Z, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Mission: Impossible, and Batman. You may also recognise it from small-screen appearances on The One Show, Horizon, Inside Out, Terror in the Skies, Engineering Giants, Casualty and, of course, Doctor Who. Look closely the next time you see a dramatic plane disaster or runway scene on screen, and you might spot some suspiciously Gloucestershire countryside in the background — or even Mark's arms. When not making cash out of old planes or hammering away at the drum kit set up in his runway-side office, the ponytail-sporting scrap magnate can be partially seen on the silver screen, 'piloting' the Boeing 727 in its latest movie escapade. Although many of the firms that send their planes to ASI know exactly what they want back — a demand list that can stretch to 2,000 parts from a single jet — other aircraft meet less formulaic fates. One big chunk of fuselage ended up in the shadows of The Swarm rollercoaster at Thorpe Park. Others are sent out to aviation buffs who want to decorate their homes with various bits and pieces. Through ASI's sister site, you can buy a redundant pilot's seat for £6,000, or small sections of fuselage with a window for £150. The money raised is spent on the staff Christmas party. Seat pockets filled with cash-stuffed wallets also occasionally bolster the coffers, although most of these find their way back to their owners. Another offshoot of the business is crash site investigation. Although downed planes rarely make it to ASI due to the extent of the damage, members of Mark's team are occasionally called out to inspect the aftermath of major aviation tragedies. Their expertise in breaking aircraft down makes them particularly useful when it comes to identifying remains and helping determine what went wrong. They were part of the investigation into the Afriqiyah Airways crash in Tripoli, Libya, in 2010, which killed 104 people. While most of the firm's planes get broken down and flogged off — sometimes for £10 million for a single jet — Mark Gregory can't bear to give up certain flying machines that come his way. One such plane is a VIP-fitted Boeing 727 that was once part of Saddam Hussein's fleet, after he instructed Iraqi Airways to steal all of Kuwait Airways' planes during its 1990 invasion of the country. Mark loves the historical significance of the aircraft and its classic '80s interior. When owned by the Kuwaiti royal family, the 189-capacity jet was stripped of its standard bum-numbing plane seats and kitted out with enough chintzy furniture to fill a retirement village. We're talking plush velour seats with extendable footrests, cutting-edge JVC TVs built into mahogany walls, and glass vases filled with plastic roses next to still-unopened bottles of bubbly. Before Iraqi forces swooped in and took over the Kuwaiti fleet, Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and other well-heeled royals used the plush plane to jet-set. On a patch of carpet now taken over by mould spores, the Emir would sit in a specially constructed throne, using radio equipment to issue commands to his staff from 30,000 feet.
