BBC MasterChef winner 'feels awful' for John Torode as complaint left her 'gobsmacked'

Daily Mirror

2 hours ago

John Torode was sacked from MasterChef earlier this month after an allegation of racism was upheld against him, while his co-host Gregg Wallace was also axed from the BBC show
Former MasterChef champion Thomasina Miers has revealed she "feels awful" following John Torode's dismissal from the BBC cooking programme as the complaint against him left her "gobsmacked".
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Since being selected to co-present the revamped MasterChef in 2005, John Torode and Gregg Wallace developed into one of British television's most recognisable partnerships.
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Their partnership was torn apart in recent weeks after 45 complaints were sustained against Wallace, including one for "unwelcome physical contact" and three involving a state of undress.
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Shortly after Wallace's downfall, co-star Torode faced a single racism allegation which was upheld, resulting in his departure. Torode has vehemently rejected the racism claim and has voiced his shock and sadness.
During an appearance on the Spooning with Mark Wogan podcast, Thomasina reflected on her experience on the programme. Speaking about the allegation against Torode, she revealed: "I felt awful for John. I mean, and also the elegance of his response to it, how he conducted himself."
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She continued: "I think, yeah, I was kind of gobsmacked by John (the news of the allegation being upheld), who was so caring and intent on the people under his watch, under his care."
Thomasina claimed victory in the first series of the relaunched MasterChef in 2005. Twelve months after her triumph, she launched her own restaurant empire, establishing the beloved Mexican-inspired street food chain Wahaca, which now operates 14 locations across the UK.
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Thomasina isn't the only famous face to show their support for Torode after the racism claim emerged.
Both Amanda Holden and McFly's Danny Jones showed their backing by liking the ex-MasterChef presenter's Instagram post from July 14, where he acknowledged being the person at the centre of the "racial language" allegations.
A BBC spokesman issued a statement declaring: "John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him.
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"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."
The opening three instalments of the current MasterChef series - showcasing Torode and Wallace prior to their dismissals - landed on iPlayer yesterday morning (Wednesday, August 6).
The episodes seem to have been trimmed to feature reduced jokes between the duo and less interaction with the amateur cooks than viewers typically expect.