Inside John Torode's 20-year BBC career from meeting his wife on MasterChef to sacking
Australian-born chef John Torode was steering the ship of MasterChef alongside Gregg Wallace for two decades before they were both axed from the BBC programme. The production company behind MasterChef recently released a report into Wallace's behaviour on the show, conducted by law firm Lewis Silkin.
The company's investigation substantiated 45 of the allegations made against the presenter, the majority of which related to inappropriate sexual language and humour. Meanwhile, a small number of allegations relating to the star being in a state of undress and one claim of unwanted physical contact were also substantiated.
Torode, who hosted MasterChef for nearly 20 years alongside Wallace, confirmed recently he was the person alleged to have used racist language after an investigation into Wallace. However, John claimed he had no memory of making the comment and denies it ever happened.
The BBC and Banijay soon confirmed they wouldn't be renewing his contract as they both released a statement. Before the accusations against Wallace and Torode were known to the public, the show was a huge hit with fans.
It was initially dubbed MasterChef Goes Large when the pair took up presenting duties in 2005, after first crossing paths in the 1990s when Wallace, a greengrocer to London's finest eateries for over 20 years, started supplying Torode's ventures.
Born in Sydney, Australia in 1965, the 59-year-old was a regular chef on This Morning, sharing screen time with Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, before gaining widespread recognition with Wallace on the reimagined version of the programme.
Alongside Wallace, Torode also fronted the spin-off Celebrity MasterChef and co-hosted an episode of the satirical BBC quiz Have I Got News For You in 2011.
Their take on the show was a new rendition of the original series from 1990-2001, hosted by Loyd Grossman. Over the years, whispers have circulated that the duo didn't see eye-to-eye off-camera, although Wallace has previously stated they are on good terms.
MasterChef's Wallace once shared a candid moment about his friendship with co-star Torode, recounting during a 2012 interview with the PA news agency: "We drank some very good red wine and we finished with a couple of brandies. We talked about love, life, weight loss, hair loss – I'm very fond of John."
John Torode received an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2022 for his contributions to food and charity, on which he commented: "I feel very privileged, it's a real honour and I feel great about it."
Before misconduct allegations against Wallace came to light, the pair marked MasterChef's 20th anniversary with a bash at Fishmongers' Hall in London, hosting over 70 guests with ties to the series.
However, as accusations arose, Torode reassured fans in December that he would stay with MasterChef, expressing his attachment to the show by saying he "loves being part of" it.
Later, on a Monday, Torode acknowledged the validity of one isolated instance of racial insensitivity found in an investigation that confirmed 45 out of 83 complaints against Wallace throughout his tenure on the show.
Torode addressed his forgetfulness about the perturbing claim on Instagram, stating that he had "no recollection of the incident" and was "shocked and saddened".
Following this revelation, both MasterChef producer Banijay UK and the BBC made the decision that Torode's contract would not be extended.
A Banijay spokesperson declared: "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."
In addition to his television appearances, Torode is an acclaimed author with cookbooks such as Sydney To Seoul, My Kind Of Food and John And Lisa's Kitchen, co-written with his wife Lisa Faulkner. He also used to own popular London dining spots The Luxe and Smiths Of Smithfield.
Torode shares four children with his spouse, actress and fellow culinary connoisseur Faulkner, whom he wed in 2019 following her Celebrity MasterChef triumph.
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How John Torode got the cut 'in 24 hours': Star went from loveable MasterChef co-host to chopped by the BBC after being 'blindsided' by broadcaster when report found he used 'extremely offensive racist term'
John Torode 's two-decade-long MasterChef career was over in just 24 hours after he was reportedly blindsided by the BBC and sacked without his knowledge. The celebrity chef, 59, was yesterday dismissed from the cookery show after a report into the behaviour of his co-host Gregg Wallace found he had once used a 'racist term'. It was a sudden fall from grace for the loveable Aussie host who had presented MasterChef since 2005 and was also awarded an MBE for services to food and broadcasting three years ago. Moreover, over the weekend food critic Grace Dent was pipped to become Torode's new permanent co-star following Wallace's suspension and dismissal. The pair had already filmed a series of Celebrity MasterChef together were reportedly due to start shooting the amateur version of the show in the summer. Yesterday, the BBC confirmed it had sacked Torode less than a day after he posted on Instagram that he was the subject of an allegation of racist language. 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'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 Lewis Silkin report, commissioned by Banijay UK, found 45 out of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated, alongside two standalone allegations made against other people, including one for using racist language. Torode previously said he had 'no recollection of the incident' and was 'shocked and saddened' by the allegation. 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. 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.' Davie insisted MasterChef does have a future with the broadcaster beyond 2028, when its current deal runs out, while presenting the corporation's 2024/2025 annual report earlier on Tuesday. Davie said: 'I absolutely think it does (have a future), I think a great programme that's loved by audiences 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.' Downing Street has said it 'utterly condemns' any instance of racist language after the allegation made against Torode was upheld. 'When it comes to racism (it) clearly has no place at the BBC or anywhere in society, and we utterly condemn any instances of racist language or abuse in the strongest possible terms,' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said. 'And it's obviously up to the BBC, who are operationally independent from Government, to take forward any necessary next steps.' The BBC said it has not yet made a final decision on whether to broadcast a series of MasterChef filmed last year with Wallace and Torode. A spokesperson for the corporation said: 'We know this is disappointing for fans of the show and those who took part, and at the appropriate time Banijay UK will consult further with the amateur contestants.' In 2022, Torode was made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to food and charity. He became a familiar face to TV audiences in 1996 as the resident chef on ITV's This Morning, before joining MasterChef alongside Wallace when it was known as MasterChef Goes Large.
