John Torode 'faced multiple allegations' but MasterChef host 'only had one complaint for using racist language upheld' in Gregg Wallace report - as his awkward on-screen moments are back in the spotlight
The MasterChef star announced last night that a report into his former co-host, Gregg Wallace, had confirmed a claim that he once used 'racist language'.
In a post on Instagram, Torode said he had 'no recollection of the incident' and was 'shocked and saddened' by the allegation.
A source close to the 59-year-old claimed he was sharing drinks after filming when he is alleged to have used an inappropriate racial term.
It is claimed the witness said Torode apologised instantly and 'was mortified' and he 'didn't use the term as a slur'.
No one complained at the time, but the incident had been brought up during Wallace's inquiry, the source said.
Sources say the BBC and production company Banijay asked Torode to resign last week over the alleged incident but he refused.
Torode is said to have been the subject of multiple allegations before only one - relating to 'racist language' - was upheld, reports the Telegraph.
One insider told the paper there had been a 'massive cultural problem' at the show going back decades.
'For a long time, certain kinds of language and jokes were found acceptable,' they said.
'There is a massive cultural problem there, and it goes back 20 years, when attitudes and ways of working were different.'
It follows a separate report in The Sun claiming that Torode was asked by the BBC and production company Banijay to step down from MasterChef and then pretend he had mental health issues.
The source went on to explain that, 'shockingly', Torode was only made aware of the claim relating to his 'racist language' two weeks ago before being informed on Friday that it would be upheld.
Torode was reportedly called by The BBC on Thursday night, followed by an email on Friday asking him to quit.
The source reportedly said: 'They ambushed him, and it was suggested he quit due to the stress and scrutiny of the furore around the show.
'Obviously he was absolutely shocked and appalled and told them quite firmly he didn't have any mental health issues. To try to use mental health as a get-out clause seems incredibly low — and is also deeply unfair to those with genuine mental health trauma.
'John absolutely loves MasterChef, and doesn't want to lose his job because of an investigation into his co-star.'
In his social media post last night, Torode said: ' 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.'
Torode went on to say he had 'absolutely no recollection' of the incident and did 'not believe it happened'.
He added: '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.'
Torode has been accused of inappropriate behaviour before over a series of mildly controversial comments made during filming.
This includes a joke he made last year on This Morning during an appearance alongside Cat Deeley.
The presenter was plating up a dish of toad in the hole during the show's cooking segment when he turned to Deeley and joked: 'I never thought I'd say to Cat Deeley, ' Here's a little sausage for you darling'.''
Deeley, 47, tapped him on the back and replied: 'Oh I like it, thank you,' before she turned to make a face at the camera.
Some viewers took to social media to point out the unfortunate timing of his comment in the light of the scandal affecting his co-presenter.
A number of viewers also complained in 2022 that he had used the swearword 's***' before the 9pm watershed, calling it 'uncalled for'.
Following yesterday's report, Wallace hit out at the BBC by warning 'won't be the last' to be cancelled.
The investigation into Wallace's behaviour on the cooking show upheld 45 out of 83 complaints made, including one count of 'unwanted physical contact', leaving the BBC to admit it 'could and should have' acted sooner to stop him.
The damning investigation also found that two complaints about the behaviour of 'other people' were upheld.
While apologising for any 'distress' he caused, Wallace took at the MasterChef broadcaster, which he claims has valued 'protecting its legacy' over 'protecting people'.
Warning that it was 'dangerous' to be a 'working-class man with a direct manner' in the world of broadcasting, he said he 'won't be the last' to face cancellation.
The presenter said: 'In the end, the BBC left me exposed to trial by media and the damage it leaves in its wake.
'To those who've shown kindness, thank you. It mattered. This has been brutal. For a working-class man with a direct manner, modern broadcasting has become a dangerous place. I was the headline this time. But I won't be the last.
'There will be more casualties if the BBC continues down this path, where protecting its legacy matters more than protecting people. For my part, with full legal support, I will consider my next move.'
Patrick Holland, CEO of MasterChef production company Banijay, said he was 'extremely sorry' to those who had been impacted by Wallace's behaviour and added that the report makes the star's 'return to MasterChef untenable'.
Wallace's statement claimed that he 'never set out to harm or humiliate' anyone and that he was 'deeply sorry for any distress caused'.
He said his 'late autism diagnosis' - which he received while he stepped back from MasterChef at the end of last year - has helped him to understand how he communicates and how he is perceived.
He said: 'For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud. Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait. None of the serious allegations against me were upheld.
'I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended.
'I'm relieved that the Banijay report fully recognises that my behaviour changed profoundly in 2018.
'Some of my humour and language missed the mark. I never set out to harm or humiliate. I always tried to bring warmth and support to MasterChef, on screen and off.
'After nearly 20 years on the show, I now see that certain patterns, shaped by traits I've only recently begun to understand, may have been misread. I also accept that more could have been done, by others and by myself, to address concerns earlier.
'A late autism diagnosis has helped me understand how I communicate and how I'm perceived. I'm still learning. Banijay have given me great support, and I thank them.'
Wallace's fiery statement comes just days after he said he would 'not go quietly' in a post which has since been deleted from his Instagram page.
The BBC said the investigation into a 'substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct' over 19 years highlighted behaviour that falls below the corporation's values.
'Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour - both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC,' a spokesman added.
'We accept more could and should have been done sooner.'
The corporation would not confirm whether they will broadcast the series of MasterChef they filmed with him last Autumn.
Four previous winners have reportedly insisted that the BBC owes it to those who took part in the series to air it, given Wallace's bad behaviour is the only reason it has been delayed.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Downing Street welcomed the fact the BBC had 'severed ties' with Wallace, adding: 'We're clear that appropriate steps must be taken to ensure abuses of power are prevented from happening in the future.'
The seven-month investigation, conducted by law firm Lewis Silkin, heard 83 allegations from 41 complainants against Wallace, all relating to his time on the cookery programme.
It also found that 10 standalone allegations were made against 'other people', from 2012 to 2019, with two claims upheld, relating to swearing and racist language.
The majority of the allegations against Mr Wallace (94 per cent) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018. Only one allegation was substantiated post 2018.
The majority of substantiated allegations related to inappropriate sexual language and humour. A smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated. One allegation of unwanted physical contact was substantiated.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the allegations against Wallace were 'horrendous and appalling', and she welcomed the BBC's decision to end its association with the MasterChef presenter.
The investigation team found evidence that during the period from 2005 to 2024, six complaints were raised with the production company and 6 with the BBC (four of which had also been raised with the production company).
However, the investigator found that 'there was a tendency to address the concern informally on a case-by-case basis and not therefore consider each issue as additive to any prior allegations or to matters which had been observed by senior members of staff'.
More formal action was taken by the production company in 2015 and the BBC in 2017.
Wallace was diagnosed with autism during the time of the investigation and the report found that this was 'highly relevant' in the context of the findings.
They said: 'Mr Wallace's neurodiversity diagnosis is considered highly relevant in the context of the findings made, particularly regarding his use of humour as a 'masking' technique and his difficulty in reading social cues.
'Mr Wallace accepts that his diagnosis may help to explain some of his actions, but he does not wish to hide behind it.'
The categories of allegations were separated in seven categories which included inappropriate comments (jokes and innuendo), sexually explicit comments, being in a state of undress, sexualised comments made to or about someone, culturally insensitive / racist comments, bullying, unwanted physical contact.
The majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, however, a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language, being in a state of undress and unwelcome physical contact were also substantiated.
Out of the 45 upheld complaints, 27 occurred between 2005 to 2011, 17 from 2012 to 2018 and just one from 2019 to 2024.
Overall, the report concluded that 16 sexually explicit comments, 12 inappropriate comments, two sexualised comments to or about someone and four culturally insensitive/racist comments were made.
One incident of unwelcome physical contact and three incidents of being in a state of undress were also substantiated.
While, seven cases of bullying were upheld.
Prior to 2016, the investigation found that there was little or no formal training or clear escalation procedures in place, leading to underreporting of inappropriate behaviour.
It also added that concerns were not always flagged to Wallace meaning he was 'not necessarily aware that his behaviour had caused offence'.
The report found that many contestants felt unable to speak out on MasterChef because 'their desire to do well in the competition meant that they were unlikely to complain or allow their reactions to show.'
Karen Baxter, the head of investigations at Lewis Silkin, who conducted the report did find that after the BBC warned Wallace about his behaviour in 2017 that he did change his behaviour.
She said: 'There is evidence which shows that Mr Wallace took some proactive steps to modify his behaviour, seek guidance from colleagues on his choice of language, and to remove himself from work-related social situations.'
Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK said: 'In earlier years, specifically prior to 2016 where the vast majority of these issues arose, it is clear that escalation procedures were not as robust as they should have been, and awareness of policies and procedures were lacking particularly amongst freelance staff.'
A spokesman for the BBC said: 'We welcome the publication of the findings by Lewis Silkin, following the investigation into the conduct of Gregg Wallace.
'In light of these findings, Banijay UK and the BBC have agreed Mr Wallace's return to MasterChef is untenable. The BBC has informed Mr Wallace we have no plans to work with him in future.
'The investigation details a substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct spanning 19 years. This behaviour falls below the values of the BBC and the expectations we have for anyone who works with or for us.
'Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour - both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC. We accept more could and should have been done sooner.
'We want to thank all those who took part in the investigation, including those who first raised concerns directly with the BBC in November last year. We apologise to everyone who has been impacted by Mr Wallace's behaviour.
'Lewis Silkin's findings include two further allegations which were upheld, relating to other individuals. The BBC takes these findings very seriously and we have asked Banijay UK to take action to address these issues, which is underway. This will be completed as a priority.
'The BBC will not be commenting further at this stage, but we are clear we expect the highest standards of respect at work to be upheld on the production.
'At this stage we are not going to make a final decision on the broadcast of the series that was filmed last year. We know this is disappointing for fans of the show and those who took part and at the appropriate time Banijay UK will consult further with the amateur contestants.
'In April the BBC published a detailed response to an independent review of workplace culture, which reinforces expectations around behaviour and that we will act more decisively when standards are not met. This also requires all TV production partners to align with the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) standards.
'We want to reaffirm, there is no place for the abuse of power, unacceptable behaviour or language at the BBC, or shows made for the BBC.'
Torode, The BBC and Banijay UK have been contacted for further comment on the 'mental health' allegation and whether Torode had been asked - and refused - to step down.
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