Following an upheld complaint over alleged racist language, the BBC announced earlier this week that presenter John Torode would not be allowed to renew his MasterChef contract.
Former MasterChef judge John Torode was sacked from the BBC show for allegedly using the N-word twice. It was announced this week that his contract would not be renewed following an upheld complaint.
Production company Banijay said on Tuesday that an investigation into his co-star Gregg Wallace’s behaviour by firm Lewis Silkin had “substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against” John, 59. John however said in a statement: “I have no recollection of what I’m accused of.”
It’s now suggested that John, who has been hosting the cooking show since 2005, has used the N-word twice, most recently at a gathering after work. However, John is said to vehemently deny ever using the racial slur.
The Sun reports that he repeated lyrics, containing the N-word, from Kanye West’s song Gold Digger at an after-work gathering six or seven years ago. He’s then said to have used the word again whilst speaking to a member of the MasterChef production team.
John allegedly used the word twice when speaking with a colleague, who was later referred to as a “pal,” who allegedly didn’t take offence. The complainant was said to have overheard the conversation at the time of the incident, according to the outlet. According to his friend, John reportedly apologized for using the slur as an “example” after being “used it as an example”.
The Sun goes on to say that John has been told that he has a history of using the N-word, whether in song lyrics or elsewhere. He is “utterly devastated” and “just wants to clear his name” amid the scandal, according to a source.
One of the allegations, according to a source, was that he repeated the word “golden lion” while filming “Gold Digger” with some coworkers after the movie was over. They claimed that John is adamant that he would never have used the N-word and only knows the radio version of the song, which reads, “Now I’m not saying she’s a gold digger, but she’s not messin’ with no broke, broke.”
The source claimed that the complainant “didn’t say anything” at the time and that John had learned that the problem had been raised a few weeks prior. He claimed that he only knows the song’s original form. He insists he would never have used the N-word in those lyrics because he only has knowledge of the song’s radio edit, and they added that he doesn’t “recall it.”
A source told the Sun about the apparent second allegation, saying that he is “adamant” that he will “never” use the word in a conversation. They allege that someone who “overheard it” complained rather than the person he’s said it to, who he’s said to have been “close” to while working together.
The source claimed that even John’s alleged overheard associate had mentioned the word in reference and apologized right away. They added that he John “won’t ever” use the alleged racial slur and “cannot recall” the conversation.
He “knows it is unacceptable,” they claimed. The source further suggested to the outlet that John was “in disbelief” when a meeting over the complaint occurred because the presenter “insisted” that he would “never” have used the N-word.
Additionally, a source claimed that John “abhors” that kind of language and doesn’t recall being “recited in a racist slur in a lyric” or “directing one” to a coworker he “considered a friend.” He is “devastated” by the circumstances, according to them.
The BBC reported earlier this week that “John Torode has publicly acknowledged that he has an ongoing accusation of using racist language against him.” The independent investigation led by the law firm Lewis Silkin uncovered and supported this allegation, which involves a very offensive racist term being used at work. The assertion is refuted by John Torode.
He has stated that he does not believe the alleged incident occurred and that he does not recall any of it. Additionally, he asserts that any racial expression is completely unacceptable in any setting. This upheld finding is taken seriously by the BBC. We have already stated that we have to take action against the makers of MasterChef, Banijay UK, and that we will not tolerate any kind of racist language. The contract with MasterChef will not be renewed for John Torode.
Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay, I’m seeing and reading that I’ve been “sacked” from MasterChef and I’ve repeatedly stated that I have no memory of what I’m accused of. The inquiry couldn’t even identify the year or date that I was supposed to have said something incorrect.
“Even though events in the last few days seem to have prevented that, I had hoped that I would have some say in my departure from a show I’ve worked on since its relaunch in 2005. I’ve been thinking about my life and how it will change over the coming and future over the past few months.
My final film, Celebrity MasterChef, will feature two incredible Christmas specials and I recently filmed with Grace Dent. I’ve loved working on MasterChef every minute, but now it’s time to turn over the cutting board. For whoever ascends, I adore it as much as I do.
“I’ll watch intently from a distance as I work on a number of other exciting projects.” After 20 years of eating, my stomach will be grateful for a rest, but what a relief it has been. Life is ever-changing and ever-moving, and occasionally there were other people’s true happiness and fulfillment. I appreciate you for MasterChef’s many years.
Production company Banijay previously stated that the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace were supported by the Lewis Silkin legal team’s investigation into an alleged racist abuse of John Torode that occurred in 2018. Banijay UK and John Torode have formally discussed this matter, and Lewis Silkin has upheld the extremely serious complaint. We have come to terms with Banijay UK and the BBC about ending his MasterChef contract.
Prior to the news of his departure, John had confirmed that he was the subject of an upheld complaint. He said: “For the sake of transparency I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion.
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 allegation.
“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.
Source: Mirror
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