John Torode, the Australian-British chef known for his role on MasterChef UK, has been dismissed from his position following upheld allegations of racist language. The production company, Banijay UK, confirmed that they would not be renewing his contract after discussing the matter with Torode, who has stated he does not recall the incident in question.
A spokesperson for Banijay UK disclosed that a serious complaint against Torode had been validated by their legal team, Lewis Silkin, which has resulted in his removal from the show. BBC Director General Tim Davie emphasised the seriousness with which the BBC is treating these allegations, indicating a decisive stance against such behaviour in the workplace.
In response to the news, Torode expressed his disappointment through Instagram, revealing that he was unaware of his termination until discovering it via media reports. He noted that he has no memory of the alleged incident and wished to have a more personal involvement in his departure from a programme he has been part of since its relaunch in 2005. Torode reminisced about enjoying his time on MasterChef, stating that it might be time for someone new to take his place.
His exit follows the dismissal of his former co-host, Gregg Wallace, who faced an inquiry into his conduct, with over 40 of 83 allegations substantiated, including complaints of inappropriate physical contact.
The claims regarding Torode involved the use of an “extremely offensive racist term” during a social interaction around 2018 or 2019. While the individual he allegedly spoke to claimed they did not perceive it as malicious and that Torode offered an immediate apology, he insists he has no recollection of the event and does not believe it occurred. Nevertheless, he reinforced his stance against any form of racial language, labelling it unacceptable in any context. Torode concluded his statement by expressing his shock and sadness over the allegations, affirming that he never intended to offend anyone.