John Torode sacked as MasterChef presenter after allegation of him using racist language upheld
Celebrity chef John Torode has been sacked as MasterChef presenter after racist language allegations into the Australian were upheld.
On Monday (14 July), the TV chef said he had 'no recollection' of the incident, adding: "I do not believe that it happened."
However, on Tuesday (15 July) it was confirmed that Torode had been dismissed, just days after his former co-presenter Gregg Wallace was also sacked.
A BBC spokesperson said: "John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him.
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"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 spokesperson added: "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."
Late last year, it was confirmed that British columnist and restaurant critic Grace Dent would replace Gregg Wallace on the popular BBC show, which has been running for over 30 years.
On Instagram, Torode wrote: "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 in 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."
Topics: Racism, Gregg Wallace, BBC
James Moorhouse