John Torode takes aim at BBC after being sacked from MasterChef
The chef and presenter of the cooking show was let go from the show following an allegation that he made a racist remark 'sometime in 2018 or 2019.' His sacking came only days after an investigation upheld over 40 complaints of professional misconduct against his co-host Greg Wallace, who was also sacked.
After confirming that he was one of two individuals under an investigation where an allegation against him was upheld on Monday (July 14), John took to Instagram to say that his upcoming MasterChef special, which was already filmed, will be his last — but took aim at the BBC, saying that he hasn't heard from them or Banijay, who produce MasterChef, prior to news of his dismissal. John Torode has said that he didn't hear from anyone at BBC before news broke that he was sacked from MasterChef. Pic: Kirsty O'Connor – Pool/Getty Images
'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,' John wrote on his Instagram. 'The enquiry couldn't even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong.'
Despite John saying that he would have hoped to have 'some say' in his departure, he admitted that he was weighing his options surrounding his future prior to the investigation's outcome, saying 'Over the past few months I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future.
'Celebrity MasterChef, which I recently filmed with Grace Dent along with two fantastic Christmas specials, will be my last,' he confirmed. '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.' View this post on Instagram
A post shared by John Torode (@johntorodecooks)
'I will watch on from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards. My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been,' he continued. 'Life is ever changing and ever moving and sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. Thank you for many years of MasterChef.'
John's axing from the show comes a day after he released a statement confirming he was one of the two individuals with whom an allegation had been upheld.
He said: 'For the sake of transparency I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.' John was sacked from MasterChef on Tuesday afternoon, just a day after his former co-host Greg Wallace was also sacked after over 40 complaints against him were upheld. Pic: DaveJohn added that he had 'absolutely no recollection' and did not believe the incident occurred.
'I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment,' he said, 'I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.'
Despite claiming he had no recollection of the incident, the BBC on Tuesday afternoon confirmed the chef would not be returning to his position on the show.
John departs the show only days after his co-host Greg Wallace, who was axed following a nine-month investigation into a number of allegations regarding his behaviour on the show.
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