John Torode was sacked by BBC MasterChef ‘after using worst racial slur there is' Richard Osman claims

The Irish Sun

17-07-2025

JOHN Torode was sacked from MasterChef for using the 'worst racial slur there is', a fellow BBC star has claimed.
The top TV chef, 59, was said to be heartbroken after the BBC and production firm Banijay confirmed his
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John Torode is said to be heartbroken after the claims against him and said he was blindsided by the BBC firing
Credit: Getty
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Richard Osman, pictured at the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards, claims Torode used the 'worst racial slur there is'
Credit: Getty
The broadcaster confirmed the host's contract would not be renewed after a report found he had used an 'extremely offensive racist term' during drinks after filming.
Torode has denied the claims and said he has 'no recollection' of the event.
He also revealed that he had been told the person with whom he was speaking "did not believe it was intended in a malicious way".
The BBC was unable to specify the time or date of the allegation, narrowing it down to '2018 or 2019'.
According to the MailOnline, Ex-Pointless presenter Richard Osman described the language used as the 'worst racial slur there is'.
He added both the Beeb and Banijay believe the allegation is 'watertight' and will stand up in court if the Australia-born star took legal action.
Osman said: "He used I think probably the worst racial slur there is and they found that to be substantively true. They found evidence they were happy with. He said that he couldn't remember it. But that one was upheld."
It comes after a source
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And allegedly read about it first on the BBC website.
Rival ITV, however, are understood
'Devastated' Gregg Wallace FIRED by BBC over MasterChef sexual comments
The Sun understands the broadcaster held crisis talks yesterday about whether or not to air this Saturday's episode of John And Lisa's Weekend Kitchen.
A source said: 'There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to John but ITV are standing by him.'
His axing came after Beeb chief Tim Davie said
The Corporation said: 'John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld
'This allegation — which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace — was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by law firm Lewis Silkin.
'John Torode denies the allegation.
'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 will not be renewed.'
A source said: 'John's agent received a call 11 minutes before the statements went out and hadn't had a chance to call him.
'He
'Obviously he's heartbroken.
'He feels he's been made a scapegoat off the back of the
Another source told The Sun the Australian chef planned to quit at the end of this week.
In an Instagram post John 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.
'I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else.'
Dad of four Torode said: 'The allegation is I did so sometime between 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and the person I was speaking with did not believe it was intended in a malicious way and I apologised immediately afterwards.
'I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened
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'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.'
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Both John Torode and Gregg Wallace have been let go from their roles at the BBC
Credit: PA