Gregg Wallace breaks silence on racism claim against MasterChef co-host John Torode
A BBC report which upheld 45 of 83 allegations of bad behaviour against Wallace also upheld a claim that a second person used a racial phrase once several years ago.
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Gregg Wallace and co-host John Torode, 59
Credit: BBC
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He defended his former colleague Torode against racism allegations
Credit: Alamy
Torode later confirmed to The Sun that this allegation referred to him, but denied that it had ever happened.
He followed Wallace in being sacked by the BBC after allegedly using a racial slur when repeating lyrics from rapper Kanye West's hit Gold Digger at an after-work gathering.
Read Gregg Wallace's exclusive interview here
But in an extensive interview with The Sun - in which Wallace also tearfully addresses the slew of complaints of bad behaviour made against him - the former greengrocer leaps to the defence of his co-star.
Gregg exclusively told The Sun: "I'll tell you one thing right now: John Torode is not a racist.
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"I've known John for 30 years and he is not a racist.
'And as evidence of that, I'll show you the incredible diversity of the people that he has championed, MasterChef winners, over the years.
"There is no way that man is a racist. No way. And my sympathies go out to John because I don't want anybody to go through what I've been through.'
Wallace was sacked by the Beeb after an
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The bombshell inquiry, carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin for production company Banijay,
John Torode sacked by BBC after being accused of using N-word while singing along to Kanye West song Gold Digger
Most of them involved inappropriate sexual language and humour and a further 10 were made about other people -
Wallace, who was
diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
during the seven-month probe, went on to add that he is "relieved the Banijay report fully recognises that my behaviour changed profoundly in 2018".
Torode began presenting the BBC cooking contest alongside Wallace in 2005.
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Gregg and John celebrated the show's 20th anniversary in 2024 with a special dinner at Fishmongers' Hall in London.
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A report found out of the 83 allegations against Wallace, 45 were substantiated
Credit: BBC
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Allegations against the MasterChef star date back to 2017
Credit: Darren Fletcher - The Sun
MASTERCHEF SCANDAL TIMELINE
2005 to 2011:
Problems with MasterChef began way back in the mid-2000s, with 27 substantiated claims made against host Gregg Wallace regarding alleged incidents in this period, according to a report by law firm Lewis Silkin.
Most of these were related to sexually explicit comments, although one allegation of unwanted physical contact in this period was also substantiated.
The same report found there was a failure by the production company to retain records of any actions taken during this time.
2012 to 2018:
Another 17 allegations were upheld from this period, according to the report.
The production company behind MasterChef investigated an allegation about Wallace's behaviour in 2015 - but he was not made aware of the complaint.
In 2016, the production company merged with Endemol, introducing more formal policies as well as regular training and anonymous reporting lines.
The BBC intervened in response to a complaint in 2017, after which Wallace was then warned to change his behaviour.
2019 to 2024:
One substantiated complaint about an inappropriate comment was from this time period.
November 2024:
Wallace faces allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a 17-year period on a range of TV shows.
He steps away from presenting MasterChef while Banijay - the show's production company - announces it will conduct an external review to 'fully and impartially investigate' the claims against him.
Some of these allegations included Wallace 'talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to 'give her a fashion show', and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans'.
Banijay UK also confirms it has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged behaviour.
December 2024:
Wallace posts a video on Instagram which claims accusations against him making sexual comments towards staff and guests have come from 'middle-class women of a certain age'.
His remarks are widely panned as "inappropriate and misogynistic', causing Wallace to apologise for any 'offence' or 'upset' he caused with his remarks, saying he will 'take some time out'.
Co-host John Torode says he 'loves being part of' the show and 'will continue to be a part of it'.
July 8 to 9, 2025:
Wallace is sacked as MasterChef presenter following an enquiry into his alleged misconduct by Banijay.
In an Instagram post, the former greengrocer claimed he had been cleared of the 'most serious and sensational accusations' against him, ahead of the published review.
He also said he recognised that some of his humour and language was inappropriate 'at times' and apologised for this.
July 14, 2025:
Lewis Silkin publishes its report, on behalf of Banijay.
It says that a total of 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Wallace during his time on the show were substantiated, including one allegation of 'unwelcome physical contact'.
It concludes that the 'majority of the substantiated allegations against Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour', adding that 'a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated'.
In the wake of the report's findings, Banijay says that 'Wallace's return to MasterChef (is) untenable'.
July 15, 2025
: Co-host Torode is sacked after allegedly making a racist remark while on the show.
BBC bosses axe the TV host and slam an "extremely offensive" term, which was raised in the bombshell report into Gregg Wallace's "inappropriate behaviour".
Torode says the comment - which the report attributed to an unnamed person - referred to him, but added: 'I have absolutely no recollection of this, and I do not believe that it happened.'
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