John Torode supported by Danny Jones and Amanda Holden after BBC axe amid racist remarks
John Torode has received widespread support from fellow celebrities after he was suddenly axed from MasterChef last night. The 59 year old TV presenter reportedly discovered the news of his future on the show from the BBC News announcement.
He claimed he was never contacted by the BBC of MasterChef's production company Banijay about their decision not to renew his contract on the BBC show he has been a part of for 20 years. The decision came after Torode revealed he was the person accused of saying racist comments on set.
The claim came from an investigation into his former MasterChef co-host Gregg Wallace, who had misconduct allegations against him. Torode stated he had no memory of making the comment, and has denied all claims of racist language, the Mirror reports.
Although both the BBC and Banijay confirmed they will not be renewing his contract at the broadcasting company after he was axed from the company yesterday (July 15) evening. After the news broke out, Torode took to his Instagram to address the scandal.
He stated: "Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay - I am seeing and reading that I've been "sacked" from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of. The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong."
"I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few days seem to have prevented that. Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future. Celebrity MasterChef, which I recently filmed with Grace Dent along with two fantastic Christmas specials will be my last."
"Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have. I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards," he continued.
"My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been. Life is ever changing and ever moving & sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. Thank you for the many years of MasterChef. JOHN TORODE."
Torode has received support from other celebrities such as Danny Jones, as the McFly singer liked the statement on Instagram. Danny knows what it is like to be at the centre of a scandal, after he was swept into a media storm earlier this year, when he was filmed kissing Love Island star Maura Higgins.
After trying to stay out of the media, he broke his silence with a grovelling message apologising to his wife Georgia and their seven year old son Cooper on social media. Since then Danny has returned to the spotlight and embarked on a tour with his band.
Similarly, Amanda Holden has shown her support for Torode as she liked the statement, as well as a previous statement the former MasterChef host uploaded earlier this week when the claims first became public.
Piers Morgan has branded Torode's axe a 'witch trial' as he released a statement online, saying: "Have I got this right? The BBC has fired @JohnTorode1 because he allegedly made a racially insensitive comment in a bar EIGHT YEARS ago, that he immediately apologised for, and now doesn't remember ever saying? Salem wants its witch trials back."
Torode has kept the comments off on his latest Instagram posts. On Tuesday evening a statement from BaniJay UK, stated: "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."
The BBC also 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. 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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