MasterChef winner defends John Torode and admits 'I feel awful'

Wales Online

5 hours ago

MasterChef winner defends John Torode and admits 'I feel awful'
Thomasina Miers became the first winner of a new look MasterChef when it launched in 2005, but now she has spoken out on what she thinks of the recent allegation against John Torode
John Torode has been axed from MasterChef
(Image: BBC)
Former MasterChef winner Thomasina Miers has said that she "feels awful" after John Torode sacked from his role on the BBC show.
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After the pair were chosen to co-host the rebooted MasterChef in 2005, John Torode and Gregg Wallace formed what quickly became one of the most iconic duos in British TV.
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But their partnership was torn apart in recent weeks after 45 complaints were upheld against Wallace, which included one for "unwelcome physical contact" and three involving a state of undress. Meanwhile, soon after Wallace's demise his co-host Torode saw one allegation of racism upheld against him, leading to his dismissal.
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Torode has passionately denied the allegation of racism and has expressed his shock and sadness.
Thomasina Miers won MasterChef in 2005
(Image:for Pen)
Thomasina shared a look back to her time on the show during a chat on the Spooning with Mark Wogan podcast. She disclosed what she thought about the news of Torode's upheld allegation: "I felt awful for John. I mean, and also the elegance of his response to it, how he conducted himself."
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She added: "I think, yeah, I was kind of gobsmacked by John (the news of the allegation being upheld), who was so caring and intent on the people under his watch, under his care."
Thomasina was crowned winner of MasterChef in the first of the rebooted series of the show in 2005. A year after winning the competition, she co-founded her own restaurant chain, the popular Mexican-style street food brand Wahaca, which now has 14 sites in the UK.
John Torode saw an allegation of racism upheld against him
(Image: Dave)
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Thomasina is not the only celebrity to show their support for Torode following the racism allegation. Amanda Holden and McFly star Danny Jones liked the former MasterChef star's post on Instagram from July 14 where he confirmed that he was the individual who was alleged to have used "racial language".
A BBC spokesperson released a statement saying: "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.
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She was the first winner of the rebooted MasterChef in 2005
(Image: Getty Images for Freuds)
"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."
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The first three episodes of the latest series of MasterChef - featuring Torode and Wallace before they were axed - dropped on iPlayer yesterday morning (Wednesday, August 6). The episodes appear to have been edited to include fewer jokes between the pair and less chat between them and the amateur chefs than usual.