BBC 'scrutinised over differing treatment of stars accused of offensive language'

Daily Mirror

19-07-2025

BBC bosses have been called out after MasterChef presenter John Torode appeared to receive harsher punishment than EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick over use of offensive language
Bosses at the BBC face a grilling over why John Torode and Jamie Borthwick were treated 'differently' after both stars used 'offensive language'. MasterChef star Torode, 59, was sacked by the broadcasting giant after a complaint John used " highly offensive racist language" was upheld. John denies the incident, which he says he has no recollection of.
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EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, 31, was suspended in June after 19 years playing fan favourite character Jay Brown when he was accused of using a slur targeted at disabled people while on the set of Strictly Come Dancing. However, now executives at the BBC are facing questions over why the pair have differences in their treatment with Torode losing his job entirely, while Borthwick faced a suspension.
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A source has said:"The difference in treatment between John and Jamie - for very similar incidents - has left questions to be answered. The BBC have tied themselves into knots with this - for them both stars appear to have used unacceptable and offensive language but only one has been sacked while another has kept his lucrative salary and got away with just a suspension."
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They continued to The Sun: "Disabled colleagues have been left wondering why incidents of ableist slurs seemingly aren't being taken as seriously as racist language and there are no clear answers coming from bosses."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the BBC told MailOnline: "Whilst we do not comment on any individual matter, each case is always considered on its own facts. We are very clear on our expectations that inappropriate behaviour and language will not be tolerated."
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A video obtained by The Sun last month saw Jamie captured describing the residents of Blackpool, where the show was filming at the time, as "m********s." Co-star Wynne Evans was reportedly backstage with Borthwick at rehearsals and heard saying "Oh my God" when he made the comment.
Borthwick has since apologised for using the term and admitted that he had not fully understood the derogatory nature of what he said and is now "deeply embarrassed." The soap actor said in a statement, which read: 'I want to apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for the words I used in the video showing my reaction to making it through Blackpool week on Strictly.
'I am deeply sorry for any offence and upset my words and actions have caused. It is no excuse, but I did not fully understand the derogatory term I used and its meaning. That is on me completely.
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'Now I am aware, I am deeply embarrassed to have used the term and directed it in the way I did. It was wrong." He went on to issue an apology to the people of Blackpool and reiterate his regret over his words. The Mirror has contacted a representative of the star for comment at the time.
Meanwhile, MasterChef star John Torode was sacked earlier this week after he came forward as the unnamed person in the firm Lewis Silkin's report, commissioned by Banjiay, into the conduct of John's co-host Gregg Wallace, following allegations of misconduct. The upheld complaint about John was "an accusation of highly offensive racist language against", which John has vehemently denied.
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Torode has insisted "he had absolutely no recollection" of using the racist term. John denied the allegation in a statement which read: "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.
"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."
The BBC announced on Tuesday (July 15) that Torode's contract was not going to be renewed and he was later sacked from MasterChef.