BBC bosses are 'questioned over difference in treatment' between John Torode and Jamie Borthwick after both used 'offensive language'

Daily Mail​

18-07-2025

BBC bosses are reportedly facing questions over the difference in treatment John Torode and Jamie Borthwick after both used 'offensive language'.
The MasterChef star, 59, has been sacked after allegedly 'used the N-word twice while singing along to a Kanye West song'.
Meanwhile the EastEnders actor, 31, who has played Jay Brown for 19 years, was suspended by the BBC in June after he used a slur aimed at disabled people on the set of Strictly.
But according to The Sun, bosses at the BBC are being questioned over a disparity in how both situations have been handled - with one star sacked and the other suspended.
A source said: 'The difference in treatment between John and Jamie - for very similar incidents - has left questions to be answered.
'The BBC have tied themselves into knots with this - for them both stars appear to have used unacceptable and offensive language but only one has been sacked while another has kept his lucrative salary and got away with just a suspension.'
'Disabled colleagues have been left wondering why incidents of ableist slurs seemingly aren't being taken as seriously as racist language and there are no clear answers coming from bosses,' the source added.
A spokesperson for the BBC told MailOnline: 'Whilst we do not comment on any individual matter, each case is always considered on its own facts.
'We are very clear on our expectations that inappropriate behaviour and language will not be tolerated.'
A video obtained by The Sun in June, showed soap actor Jamie using the term 'm********s' to describe residents of Blackpool where the show was being filmed at the time.
He was reportedly backstage during rehearsals with Wynne Evans who could be heard saying 'Oh my God' when he made the remark.
He has since issued an apology, sharing that he did not fully understand the derogatory nature of the term he used but now that he is aware, he is 'deeply embarrassed'.
The Sun reported at the time that Jamie told a former partner how it was 'not clear' if he would return to EastEnders and quoted him as saying: 'I accept the karma that has come my way due to some bad choices.'
It continued that Jamie told how he was now 'attempting to write the wrongs in my life'. He added he wanted to 'sincerely apologise for the mistakes I made and for hurting you and how I handled the whole situation'.
It comes after new reports claimed on Friday that the BBC sacked chef John after he allegedly 'used the N-word twice while singing along to a Kanye West song'.
John was reportedly singing the rapper's hit Gold Digger when he was allegedly 'caught using the racist term during after work drinks six or seven years ago'.
The Sun claims John used the word again whilst chatting to a friend on the MasterChef production team, who didn't take offence.
The Australian-born chef has insisted 'he had absolutely no recollection' of using a racist term while drinking with colleagues seven years ago.
The person who raised the complaint is understood to have 'overheard the conversation'.
The production pal allegedly backed John and said he only used the racial slur as an 'example' and 'apologised afterwards'.
MailOnline contacted BBC and Torode's representatives for comment.
A witness told investigators he had apologised immediately, 'was mortified' and 'didn't use the term as a slur' in 2018.
The BBC said on Tuesday that Torode's contract would not be renewed after a report found he had used an 'extremely offensive racist term' during an evening out after filming the show.
The corporation has refused to say what the racist term was - as has Torode, who has claimed he did 'not believe that it happened'.
But it was described as the 'worst racial slur there is' by Richard Osman, who added of the investigation: 'They found that to be substantively true. They found evidence that they were happy with - that that was true.'