MasterChef host John Torode has confirmed that he is the subject of an allegation of using racist language, which was upheld as part of an investigation into his co-presenter Gregg Wallace.
A report commissioned by MasterChef producers Banijay UK, and led by law firm Lewis Silkin, found 45 out of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated.
The same report also upheld two standalone allegations made against other people, including one for using racist language.
Torode confirmed in a post on Instagram that he is the person alleged to have used racist language, but said he had “no recollection” of it and was “shocked and saddened” by the allegation.
There are now questions about Torode’s future on the BBC cooking show, amid claims he was asked to quit and cite mental health issues.
The MasterChef presenter has confirmed that he is the person alleged to have used racist language on one occasion in 2018 or 2019.
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But it is not clear exactly what is supposed to have been said. The review commissioned by Banijay has not set out details.
Torode said he had been told that the allegation was 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”.
He added: “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.”
What does Torode think of the Wallace scandal?
Torode is “absolutely devastated to have been pulled into this mess” following Wallace’s exit from MasterChef, a source close to the chef told The Sun.
But Torode has stayed publicly silent on the saga surrounding Wallace, and has carried on filming for the latest MasterChef series without his co-host.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace on MasterChef (Photo: Shine TV/BBC)The Banijay review upheld 45 complaints of inappropriate behaviour by Wallace, including one case of “unwanted physical contact”.
The majority of the substantiated allegations related to “inappropriate sexual language and humour”. The review added that “a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated”.
Wallace recently revealed that Torode had reached out to him twice since claims about his behaviour first emerged in November – including a phone called after the death of his mother.
“He wanted to know if I was OK and to say sorry about my mum,” Wallace said in an April interview.
In 2016, Torode is believed to have been best man at Wallace’s wedding. But a year later, Torode said in an interview that the pair were not close. “It’s funny, we’ve never been friends. We’ve not been to each other’s houses.”
Reports in The Sun say Torode was asked by the BBC on Friday to quit MasterChef and say he had mental health issues.
Sources close the presenter told the newspaper that he refused to do so, telling the corporation he did not have mental health issues and intended to carry on.
However, a BBC insider said they do not recognise these claims.
The British-Australian cook has been co-hosting MasterChef with Grace Dent since Wallace first stepped aside in November.
Torode has presented the programme for over 20 years and has also worked on John And Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen for ITV with his wife Lisa Faulkner.
John Torode and Grace Dent have filmed Celebrity MasterChef (Photographer: BBC / Provider: BBC / PA Wire / Source: PA)What will happen to MasterChef?
There is doubt over the future of MasterChef’s latest series, which was filmed in the autumn last year with Wallace. The BBC says it has not made a final decision on broadcasting it.
Options for the latest full series filmed with Wallace include showing it on iPlayer but not on BBC Television.
One former MasterChef worker, who alleged to BBC News that Wallace pulled his trousers down in front of her, said it would show “a real lack of respect” if the series was shown.
However, there are reports that contributors could take legal action against the BBC if the series with Wallace is not aired. Featured chefs can expect life-changing exposure from the programme.
A Celebrity MasterChef series, presented by Torode and Dent, is also due to air. Dent is understood to have performed well and is in pole position to present any future MasterChef series.
It also remains to be seen whether Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti, the chefs who front MasterChef: The Professionals, will comment on the latest developments involving Wallace and Torode.
A BBC insider said: “Some people see this as an opportunity for a complete reboot. Wallace, Torode and Wareing could all go and the brand can be relaunched with a new generation of presenters. The main concern is protecting the MasterChef brand.”
The BBC, Banijay UK and a representative for Torode have been contacted for comment.
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