After using offensive language, MasterChef host John Torode appeared to be subjected to harsher punishment than EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, who was also a host, on a callout from BBC bosses.
Bosses at the BBC face a grilling over why John Torode and Jamie Borthwick were treated ‘differently’ after both stars used ‘offensive language’. MasterChef star Torode, 59, was sacked by the broadcasting giant after a complaint John used ” highly offensive racist language” was upheld. John denies the incident, which he says he has no recollection of.
EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, 31, was suspended in June after 19 years playing fan favourite character Jay Brown when he was accused of using a slur targeted at disabled people while on the set of Strictly Come Dancing. However, now executives at the BBC are facing questions over why the pair have differences in their treatment with Torode losing his job entirely, while Borthwick faced a suspension.
According to a source, “the differences in how John and Jamie are treated for very similar incidents have raised questions to be resolved.” The BBC has ties itself to this because both stars appear to have used offensive and offensive language, but only one has been fired while the other has kept his lucrative salary and was exonerated with just a suspension.
According to them, “disabled colleagues have been left wondering why incidents of ableist slurs aren’t being taken as seriously as racist language and there aren’t clear answers from bosses,” they continued to The Sun.
Meanwhile, a BBC spokesperson told MailOnline that while we did not comment on any particular situation, each case was always taken into account based on its own facts. We have a very clear understanding of what constitutes inappropriate behavior and language.
Jamie was captured in a video released by The Sun last month that showed him describing the Blackpool residents as “m********s” at the time the show was being shot. When Borthwick made the alleged comment while Wynne Evans and Borthwick were backstage, they were reportedly audible saying, “Oh my God!
Borthwick has since apologized for using the phrase, expressed regret for using it, and expressed regret for being “deeply embarrassed” for saying something offensive. The soap actor apologized in a statement that read, “I sincerely and wholeheartedly for the words I used in the video showing my reaction to surviving Blackpool week on Strictly.
I apologize sincerely for any offence or upset caused by my actions. There is no justification for my ignorance of the offensive term I used and its definition. That completely irritates me.
“Now I am aware, I am deeply embarrassed to have used the term and directed it in the way I did. It was wrong.” He went on to issue an apology to the people of Blackpool and reiterate his regret over his words. The Mirror has contacted a representative of the star for comment at the time.
In addition, following allegations of misconduct, MasterChef co-host Gregg Wallace was fired earlier this week after he came forward as the unnamed person in the firm Lewis Silkin’s report, which was commissioned by Banjiay. John has vehemently refuted the accusations that the upheld complaint about him was “a highly offensive racist language against.”
Torode has argued that using the term “was completely absent” from his memory. In a statement, John refuted the claim, saying, “I’m aware that it’s possible that one of the two other people against whom an allegation has been upheld. The Executive Summary of the investigation into Gregg Wallace was released.”
I confirm that I am the person alleged to have once used racial language for the purpose of transparency. The person I was speaking with did not think it was malicious, and I apologized right away after doing it sometime in 2018 or 2019, according to the claim.
“I don’t recall any of this, and I don’t think it ever happened,” I said. I want to be clear that I’ve always believed that any racial language is completely unacceptable in any setting. I’m shocked and depressed by the claim because I would never want to offend anyone.
Torode’s contract was terminated from MasterChef after the BBC announced on Tuesday (July 15) that he would not be able to renew it.
Source: Mirror
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