BBC statement in full as John Torode is sacked from MasterChef over racism allegation

John Torode’s contract on MasterChef has not been renewed as both the BBC and production company Banijay release statements on his position

The BBC has released a statement to reveal John Torode’s time on MasterChef has come to an end. Just days after Gregg Wallace, 60, was axed from the BBC series following an investigation into his behaviour, John, 59, has also been told his contract will not be renewed.

It comes after allegations of racism were upheld against the presenter. It brings to an end almost two decades of John being the face of the show.

The BBC’s full statement on Tuesday 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.”

Shortly after the BBC’s comment, Banijay released a statement of their own. It said that it had taken the 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, “ they said.

“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.”

Following his own exit from the show, Wallace warned he would “not go quietly”. He responded to the publication of the MasterChef review, saying that he “challenged” the groping claim against him that was upheld, but lost.

The former greengrocer insisted that “none of the serious allegations against me were upheld” even though the review found him guilty of the “unwanted touching” plus three counts of being in “a state of undress”.

Wallace also said the last eight months of his life had been ‘brutal’ as he admitted he was ‘deeply sorry’ for the distress caused. Over 50 people came forward to make allegations of misconduct against him.

The report against Wallace, which was conducted by law firm Lewis Silkin, divided the complaints into seven categories.

Of the 45 upheld, 12 were for inappropriate comments (jokes and innuendo), 16 were sexually explicit comments, three were for being in a state of undress, two were for sexualised comments made to or about someone, four were over being culturally insensitive or racist, seven were over bullying and one was for unwanted physical contact.

Source: Mirror