New favourite emerges in race to replace John Torode on BBC's MasterChef - they're TV royalty but have NO experience in the food industry

Daily Mail​

5 days ago

A new favourite has emerged in the race to replace John Torode on BBC 's MasterChef - who is TV royalty but has no experience in the food industry.
Rylan Clark, 36, who currently works as a presenter on ITV chat show This Morning, has now been tipped by bookies to take the top job.
It comes after the Australian chef, 59, was axed from the cooking competition in an announcement from the broadcaster on Tuesday afternoon.
This followed a report into a series of allegations of inappropriate behaviour by his co-star Gregg Wallace, 60, which saw him sacked as a presenter this month.
The investigation also found John had once used an 'extremely offensive racist term', allegedly during some drinks after filming.
John posted to Instagram on Tuesday evening to say he had 'no recollection' of the incident and did not believe it had happened.
Rylan is within a 33.3 per cent chance (2/1) of replacing John on MasterChef, according to entertainment betting experts at Online Betting Guide (OLBG).
The former X Factor star is the only one among the favourites for the position to have no culinary background.
Since his turn on the music talent competition, he has presented its commentary spin-off The Xtra Factor and the Strictly Come Dancing equivalent, It Takes Two.
He is now a commentator on the Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals, as of 2018, and has presented several shows on BBC Radio 2.
Rylan has also hosted Supermarket Sweep, Ready Steady Cook and Big Brother's Bit On The Side over the years.
OLBG entertainment betting expert Jake Ashton said: 'MasterChef is set for a shake-up and the departure of Gregg and John opens the door for a complete tone shift.
'Rylan is priced as favourite as he brings fun, familiarity and fanbase.'
The TV personality tops the list of John's potential replacements by some margin, seconded by Bake Off star Nadiya Hussain, 40, at 3/1, or 25 per cent.
The TV personality tops the list of John's potential replacements by some margin, seconded by Bake Off star Nadiya Hussain (pictured on Lorraine in 2019), 40, at 3/1, or 25 per cent
She is followed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, 50, in third place, with odds of 4/1, or 20 per cent.
OLBG's Jake added: 'Both bring credibility, familiarity, and warmth which are crucial traits for the Masterchef format.'
After the top three come French TV maitre d' Fred Sireix, 53, chef Tom Kerridge, 51, and Great British Menu host and Gogglebox star Andi Oliver, 62.
Other names up there include rapper Big Zuu, 29, chefs James Martin, 53, and Gordon Ramsay, 58, and TV presenter Holly Willoughby, 44.
The predictions of bookies at OLBG come after experts at What Are The Odds placed Andi at the top of the list of favourites on Wednesday.
They said her chances stood at 5/2, or 28.6 per cent, boosted by her 'warmth and culinary credibility'.
The chef is also helped, they said, by her 'vibrant energy and authority' on Great British Menu, which she has variously judged and presented since 2016.
She would make history as the first black woman to present MasterChef if she were to be given the top job.
But it seems she has now been dethroned by Rylan in the race for the judging gig on the cooking competition.
Already, though, Andi, who is a regular on Celebrity Gogglebox with her daughter, presenter Miquita Oliver, 41, had been facing some stiff competition.
What Are The Odds rated Tom Kerridge as close behind her, with odds of 3/1, or 25 per cent, for his 'accessible cooking style', 'likeable media persona' and 'devoted following'.
'With multiple restaurants, several BBC series, and a reputation for combining fine dining with everyday appeal, Kerridge is seen as a strong fit for MasterChef's evolving audience', the bookies added.
What Are The Odds analyst Dave James said: 'Andi Oliver remains the market leader but Tom Kerridge is attracting a lot of support.
'His profile is huge and he's one of the most trusted names in British food. This could come down to what direction the BBC wants – prestige, relatability, or a bit of both.'
Other names which could make the cut, according to What Are The Odds, include Poppy O'Toole, 29.
She is a Michelin-trained chef who has in recent years skyrocketed to fame on social media as the 'Potato Queen'.
Even John's wife and fellow TV chef Lisa Faulkner (left, with John at the National Television Awards last year), 53, still makes the top ten, at 14/1 or 6.7 per cent, despite his recent sacking
At 4/1 or 20 per cent, she is followed by chef Angela Hartnett, 56, at 5/1 (16.7 per cent) and Bake Off's Nadiya, again, on 6/1 or 14.3 per cent.
Stars rated below them range from TV chefs James Martin, again, Nigella Lawson, 65, and Marcus Wareing, 55, to food critic Grace Dent, 51.
Even John's wife and fellow TV chef Lisa Faulkner, 53, still makes the top ten, at 14/1 or 6.7 per cent, despite his recent sacking.
It comes after John was left 'heartbroken' by discovering he had been dropped from MasterChef online.
A source told The Sun: 'He read about it on the BBC News website.
'Obviously he's heartbroken. He feels he's been made a scapegoat off the back of the Gregg Wallace report.'
Just after the news broke, the chef released a statement confirming he had not 'heard from anyone at the BBC' or the show's production company Banijay UK.
His agent was reportedly called just 11 minutes before the BBC's announcement - and so 'hadn't a chance to call him' before word got out.
Just after the news broke, the chef released a statement confirming he had not 'heard from anyone at the BBC' or the show's production company Banijay UK
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, the BBC said it does not 'tolerate racist language of any kind' and that it takes the finding 'extremely seriously'.
The move came after BBC director-general Tim Davie notably failed to back Torode and said he 'expects action to be taken' following the racism allegations.
He delivered the remarks as the BBC released its annual report - an occasion overshadowed by controversies for the second year in a row.
A witness of the moment at issue in John's sacking claimed he apologised instantly for using the term as he 'was mortified' and he 'didn't use the term as a slur'.
No one complained at the time but the incident was brought up during Gregg's inquiry, they added.
A BBC spokesperson said: '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.
'He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened.
Meanwhile, BBC director general Mr Davie has insisted MasterChef can still prosper despite the loss of Gregg and John. Pictured: John and Lisa on This Morning earlier this month
'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.'
Banijay UK has also now said it has decided not to renew his contract.
ITV are standing by under fire John, with sources at the channel telling MailOnline it will continue to broadcast John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen as scheduled on Saturday.
The much-loved cookery show, which launched in 2019, features John, 59, and his wife Lisa as they showcase their favourite recipes.
An ITV source said: 'There is no change to the ITV schedule and John and Lisa's Weekends will be broadcast as usual and will continue to air for the next three weeks.'
It means the third episode of the tenth series of the show will be broadcast on ITV1 at 11.40am on Saturday.
It comes after his co-star Gregg (right) hit out at the BBC after a probe upheld more than half of the complaints of inappropriate behaviour against him as he warned he 'won't be the last' to be cancelled
There are also plans for the broadcaster to welcome John back later in the year with John & Lisa's Christmas Kitchen in December.
Meanwhile, BBC director general Mr Davie has insisted MasterChef can still prosper despite the loss of Gregg and John.
He said: 'The BBC in some ways are quite simple on this, if someone is found to not live up to our values we expect the independent company, Banijay in this case, to take action and report back to us on what they have done.
'These are not BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken.'
The director general added: 'I think it's a great programme that's well loved by audiences and is much bigger than individuals.
'It absolutely can survive and prosper, but we've got to make sure we're in the right place in terms of the culture of the show.'
A Banijay spokesperson said: 'In response to John Torode's statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously.
'The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018.
'This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint. Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.'
John is said to have been the subject of multiple allegations before only one - relating to 'racist language' - was upheld, The Telegraph has reported.
It comes after his co-star Gregg hit out at the BBC after a probe upheld more than half of the complaints of inappropriate behaviour against him as he warned he 'won't be the last' to be cancelled.
The report into Gregg'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 on the MasterChef host.
The damning investigation also found two complaints about the behaviour of 'other people' - including John - were upheld.
While apologising for any 'distress' he caused, Gregg took aim at the MasterChef broadcaster, which he claims valued 'protecting its legacy' over 'protecting people'.
Warning 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.
Speaking about the scandal, Lorraine said: 'Gregg Wallace has released a statement, many statements. He's tried to get ahead of this a lot and he's said many, in my opinion, inappropriate things' (pictured together in 2024)
'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.'
Lorraine Kelly, 65, took a swipe at Gregg following the scandal and his statements on her ITV show on Tuesday.
The TV presenter said: 'Gregg Wallace has released a statement, many statements.
'He's tried to get ahead of this a lot and he's said many, in my opinion, inappropriate things.
'It's just quite strange because he has a little boy who has autism as well - I find that bizarre, I find that very strange.
On Tuesday evening, it was announced Mr Torode (left) had been sacked from the show after a report into his co-host Gregg Wallace (right) found he had used an 'extremely offensive racist term'
'What's interesting though is those around him who enabled him to be like that.'
Meanwhile, the chairman of the BBC has admitted there are powerful individuals still making life 'unbearable' for colleagues after a slew of people were sacked from the corporation.
Samir Shah spoke out as MasterChef was plunged into crisis on Monday night when it emerged John had an allegation of misconduct upheld before he was sacked the next day.
It followed the release of the corporation's annual report which revealed former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker - who left his job in May after being accused of posting an 'antisemitic trope' on social media - topped the list for the eighth year running.
Speaking as the report was released, Mr Shah admitted there had been a 'string of revelations' about abuses of power at the BBC over the past year.
He said: 'Our staff are dedicated, hardworking and treat each other with respect.
'However, there are pockets in the organisation where this is not the case. There are still places where powerful individuals - on and off-screen - can abuse that power to make life for their colleagues unbearable.'
He added there had been dismissals following a review, which came out in April, but stopped short of identifying those who were sacked.
Elsewhere, it a source told The Sun that the BBC and production company Banijay had asked John to resign from MasterChef and blame his mental health after the accusation of misconduct were made public.