John Torode given boost by the BBC on his birthday after shock MasterChef axe

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Former MasterChef judge, John Torode, was sacked from the BBC show last week after a claim of using racist language, which he denies, was upheld after an independent investigation
Former MasterChef judge, John Torode, hasn't had much to celebrate recently after getting sacked from the BBC show last week over an upheld claim of using racist language, which he denies.
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The Aussie chef, who turns 60, today, was axed from the programme after 20 years at the helm after "an accusation of highly offensive racist language" was upheld following a report into John's co-host, Gregg Wallace's behaviour on the show.
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Following the report's release in which 45 out of 83 allegations made against him Gregg were upheld and John was the subject of nine complaints, eight of which were rejected - both he and the former greengrocer got the boot from MasterChef.
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However, today, on John's milestone birthday, the BBC has announced it will broadcast the amateur series of the primetime show filmed before allegations against the dad-of-four and Gregg were upheld by an independent investigation.
Both presenters will still feature in the upcoming series, but the edit will be looked at in light of the findings of an investigation, with focus being given to the contestants, the PA news agency understands.
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A BBC spokesperson said: 'After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August. MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.
'This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters.
"We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC.
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'However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process."
John was sacked last week after he came forward as the unnamed person in the firm Lewis Silkin's report, commissioned by Banjiay, into the conduct of Gregg, following allegations of misconduct.
The upheld complaint about John was "an accusation of highly offensive racist language against", which the presenter has vehemently denied, saying he had 'no recollection of the incident' and was 'shocked and saddened' by the allegation.
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It was later reported that John repeated lyrics of Kanye West's song Gold Digger, in which the N-word is featured. The alleged incident is said to have taken place at an after-work gathering in 2019. John is then alleged to have used the word again whilst speaking to a member of the MasterChef production team.
However, BBC News has since reported that the upheld allegation relating to John using the racist slur was not in relation to the above incident. The publication reports the upheld allegation relates to an incident said to have taken place the year before in 2018, in which it is claimed he used the same word on set after filming ended – and the slur was directed at a member of staff.
Meanwhile, it was also reported that John was the subject of a total of nine complaints. There was a single upheld allegation of racist language and eight other allegations relating to different matters were rejected, the Mirror understands.