After axing Gregg Wallace and John Torode, this is how MasterChef moves forward

Metro

6 days ago

MasterChef can't catch a break lately.
After a damning investigation came out this week that upheld 45 of 83 complaints against Gregg Wallace – including one of unwelcome physical contact, seven allegations of bullying, and the majority relating to inappropriate language and humour – co-host John Torode is now in the firing line.
An allegation of Torode using 'an extremely offensive racist term' was upheld and he was sacked as a MasterChef presenter as a result. Confirming the news, the show's production company, Banijay, said it was 'agreed' with the BBC that his contract on the show will not be renewed.
In his latest Instagram statement, Torode said: '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.'
He added: 'Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future… 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.'
John Torode had to go.
In fact, the show has been in need of a total overhaul for a long time – especially to stop it going the way of This Morning.
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The latter never fully recovered from the Phillip Schofield scandal, with Holly Willoughby becoming a constant reminder of its most shocking controversy. Even before the racism allegations came to light, Torode was too closely linked to Wallace, and his continued presence would have made it harder for MasterChef to move on.
And, gallingly, both of Torode's statements via Instagram this week have had a glaring omission: Not once did he condemn Wallace's behaviour or express sympathy for the people behind the 45 complaints that were upheld.
A report by law firm Lewis Silkin found there were 27 substantiated claims against Wallace relating to alleged incidents during this period, most of which related to sexually explicit comments.
One allegation of unwanted physical contact during this timeframe was also substantiated.
The report found that when concerns were reported to the production company during this period, there was a failure to retain records of any action taken.
The report found that 17 upheld allegations relate to this period.
In 2015, the production company behind MasterChef investigated an allegation about Wallace's behaviour, but he was not made aware of the complaint.
The following year, the production company merged with Endemol, and more formal policies, regular training, and anonymous reporting lines were introduced.
The BBC intervened in response to a complaint in 2017, following which Wallace was warned of the need to change his behaviour.
One substantiated complaint about an inappropriate comment fell into this period.
Wallace faced allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a range of shows over 17 years, BBC News reported.
The TV star stepped away from presenting MasterChef while Banijay, the show's production company, announced that it was conducting an external review to 'fully and impartially investigate' the claims.
BBC News said allegations include the presenter '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'.
The charity Ambitious About Autism said it had dropped Wallace as an ambassador, citing the 'recent allegations'.
Banijay UK confirmed it appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged behaviour.
Wallace said in a video posted to Instagram that accusations about him making sexual comments towards staff and guests have come from 'middle-class women of a certain age'.
Downing Street said Wallace's response to the accusations being made against him was 'inappropriate and misogynistic'.
A spokesperson added that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had held talks with BBC bosses in the wake of the Wallace row.
Following the backlash, Wallace apologised for any 'offence' or 'upset' he caused with his remarks and said he would 'take some time out'.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said politicians should be ready to put in place 'mechanisms' that would instil 'confidence' that women will be taken seriously in reports of inappropriate behaviour after a Labour MP asked him about 'women of a certain age', reflecting comments Wallace apologised for.
MasterChef co-presenter John Torode said in a social media post that he 'loves being part of' the programme and 'will continue to be a part of it'.
Wallace told the Daily Mail he 'thought about suicide all the time' after allegations of misconduct were made against him.
Wallace was sacked as MasterChef presenter following the inquiry into his alleged misconduct by production company Banijay.
BBC News said it had not seen the final review from Banijay but understood the presenter had been sacked.
In an Instagram post, the former greengrocer claimed he had been cleared of the 'most serious and sensational accusations' ahead of the published review.
He also said he recognised that some of his humour and language were inappropriate 'at times' and apologised for this.
The report by law firm Lewis Silkin for Banijay is published.
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 Mr 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 say that 'Wallace's return to MasterChef (is) untenable'.
That, in itself, is appalling. So, with the knowledge that he also used 'an extremely offensive racist term', I say good riddance, Torode.
Both his and Wallace's departure from the show will give it a chance to reset — and there are two clear candidates who could breathe new life into the show at a moment when it's on life support.
Grace Dent and Jay Rayner are the obvious pairing to save MasterChef, steer it in a new direction, and help it shed the skin of its problematic past.
Both are long-standing members of the MasterChef family — and highlights of the show.
Dent is refreshingly engaged with the future of food broadcasting, regularly appearing on TikTok and other platforms to champion aspiring culinary talent.
She treats a Michelin star meal with the same respect as a perfect fry-up at a local café. And her razor-sharp wit would be the ideal antidote to Wallace's often wince-inducing humour.
She's already filmed the next series of Celebrity MasterChef, and I have no doubt it will be a much more palatable watch without a trace of Wallace – although Torode confirmed he was part of this season, as well as two additional Christmas specials.
Side note: I believe these should still be aired – just as I argued earlier this week that Wallace's final MasterChef should be aired too.
MasterChef has long needed a feminine touch and there is simply no one more deserving of the job than Grace Dent — particularly after gaining huge popularity following I'm A Celebrity in 2023. Her time is now.
Rayner, too, strikes a rare balance of being both scathing and charming. He's blisteringly funny, bursting with charisma, and appreciates a world-class chippy dinner just as much as fine dining. Few others — certainly not Wallace or Torode — manage that same breadth and warmth.
Rayner could recite the Teletubbies and make it sound like poetry. Even though 'posh' isn't popular, Rayner breaks the mould. Despite sounding like aristocracy, he feels like a man of the people.
Now that MasterChef is missing the 'cheeky greengrocer' figure Wallace loved to lean on, Rayner fills that void — in a totally different, but exciting new way.
Obviously, the dust is yet to settle on Wallace and Torode's exits. They've been at the helm of MasterChef for 20 years and those are not easy shoes to fill — but if anyone can, it's Dent and Rayner.
At the very least, I hope MasterChef still has a future.
I feel more confident that it does compared to other shows that have suffered similar controversies.
This Morning has struggled to reach the same relevance as it did when Holly and Phil went viral every day for bursting into fits of hysterical giggles.
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In the case of MasterChef, it is all about the contestants, the journey and ultimately finding a winner whose restaurant I'd travel cross-country to eat in.
But a Dent and Rayner combination could see MasterChef not only have us caring about the contestants, but about the presenters, too. Torode and Wallace weren't cherished or ever compared to the Ant and Decs or Holly and Phils of broadcasting, but this new pair could be.
I don't think Wallace and Torode ever carried the show and I can't even say I ever tuned in to watch either of them.
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If anything, the idea of two new presenters — particularly if it's Dent and Rayner — makes me more excited for MasterChef than I've been in a very long time.
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