MasterChef star John Torode's explosive statement in full after being ‘asked to resign over racist remark'
The Australian chef, 59, has been
4
John Torode has responded to claims that he used racist language while working alongside Gregg Wallace on Masterchef
Credit: PA
4
The Australian chef, 59, said he had no recollection of using racist language
Credit: Rex Features
4
Gregg Wallace is facing dozens of complaints over his conduct while working for the BBC
Credit: Getty
The TV chef was cited - but not named - in the
dating
back over eight years.
He allegedly made a racist remark during a private conversation - something John denies having any recollection of ever taking place.
Shockingly, the BBC and production company Banijay asked John to resign last week - and claim he had mental
health
problems.
He refused and has now issued a statement to The Sun confirming he was investigated over the alleged remarks.
read more in Gregg Wallace
John told how he intended to cause no offence to the person he was talking to and apologised immediately after the alleged incident at the time.
He has now come out and said: 'Following publication of the Executive Summary of the
Investigation
into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld.
'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 between 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.
Most read in News TV
'I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened.
'However, I want to be clear that I've always had
the view
that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment.
'We'll never work with him again', blast BBC as Gregg Wallace report reveals 'substantial' allegations over 19 YEARS
'I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.'
Last night a source close to the chef added: 'John is absolutely devastated to have been pulled into this mess.
'John absolutely loves MasterChef, and doesn't want to lose his job because of an investigation into his co-star.
'As Gregg has pointed out broadcasting is becoming a dangerous place especially when there is no concrete evidence.
'If the BBC let him go for this, where will it all end? There will soon be no-one left on telly.'
It follows a series of serious complaints being made about co-star and close friend Gregg Wallace.
In a bombshell report, 45 of 83 complaints about the TV star's bad behaviour had been upheld - leading to his sacking last week.
One included unwelcome physical contact and another three of being in a state of undress.
The under-fire host, 60, yesterday apologised, saying he 'never set out to harm or humiliate'.
In total, the report says 83 allegations were made against Wallace, with the majority of the substantiated claims relating to inappropriate sexual language and humour, but also culturally insensitive or racist comments.
The inquiry, conducted by an independent
law
firm, was ordered by Banijay in the wake of a BBC
News
investigation which first revealed claims of inappropriate sexual comments against Wallace.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he 'welcomed' the BBC cutting ties with Gregg Wallace and demanded action to end
future
'abuses of power'.
The PM's spokesman said he still has 'confidence' in the Corporation but that it must take
steps
to 'ensure the public retains trust'.
The BBC has now also admitted the
Wallace is said to feature in the 20 episodes yet to be released.
Grace Dent is now
The food critic, 51, is understood to have been asked to start filming for MasterChef UK alongside chef Torode at the end of the summer.
It is unclear how the recent report and claims from the Aussie chef may change the BBC's scheduling.
What did the report find?
FORTY-five allegations made against Gregg Wallace during his time on MasterChef, including one of "unwelcome physical contact", were found to have been substantiated.
An independent report commissioned by production company Banijay assessed 83 allegations against Wallace.
The report substantiated:
- Twelve claims he made inappropriate jokes and innuendo;
- Sixteen reports he made sexually explicit comments;
- Two allegations that he made sexualised comments to or about someone;
- Four complaints that he made culturally insensitive or racist comments;
- Three claims that he was in a state of undress;
- Seven allegations of bullying;
- One allegation of unwanted touching.
The allegations span from 2005 to 2024
4
The pair hosted Masterchef together for almost two decades
Credit: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett
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The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
From sick photos in cell & games of chess to warlord pal & surprising job – inside monster Ian Huntley's life in prison
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Sunday World
6 hours ago
- Sunday World
Man who rubbed chilli powder on colleague's face found not guilty of attempted murder
insanity verdict | He was found not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity. Stock image: Getty The Central Criminal Court trial of Jineesh John (43) heard that the defendant had developed a delusional belief that his former colleague had infected him with HIV by kissing him. There had never been any physical contact between Mr John and the woman, the court heard, but he had developed a preoccupation of which she was unaware. Mr Justice Paul McDermott today told the jury of seven men and five women that consultant forensic psychiatrists called by the prosecution and defence had agreed that Mr John fulfilled the criteria for the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. Stock image: Getty Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 18th Mr Justice McDermott told the jury that they must return verdicts in accordance with the evidence they heard. The jury took about 40 minutes to reach their verdicts. Mr Justice McDermott remanded Mr John to the Central Mental Hospital until July 28 when a psychiatrist will deliver a report regarding Mr John's ongoing treatment. The judge also told the injured party in the case that she had shown "extraordinary courage". In other circumstances she would have an opportunity to address the court about what happened, he said, but he wanted to acknowledge the courage she showed in dealing with the situation in which she found herself. The court heard that she managed to calm Mr John down by talking to him. Mr John, with an address at The Crescent Building, Park West, Dublin 12 had pleaded not guilty to attempted murder at a location in West Dublin on May 21, 2023. Read more Mr John also pleaded not guilty to making a threat to kill or cause the woman serious harm without lawful excuse, intending her to believe that the said threat would be carried out. He further pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning the woman by intentionally or recklessly detaining her without her consent. In addition, the defendant pleaded not guilty to producing a hammer on the same date, while committing or appearing to be about to commit an offence of false imprisonment. The jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity on all counts. Giving evidence in the two-day trial, Detective Garda Thomas Balfe told prosecutor Brendan Grehan SC that both the woman and the defendant worked in healthcare and they met in April or May 2021. On May 21, 2023 Mr John arranged to call to the woman's house to fill out a church form. He arrived at about 8.30pm and she got into the car, not suspecting anything. However, Mr John then started to drive before pulling up on a footpath beside an industrial estate. The detective said when the car was pulled over, Mr John told the woman to close her eyes as he wanted to give her a surprise. 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The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
New MasterChef hosts set to take over from scandal-hit Gregg Wallace & John Torode revealed
SATURDAY Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt is expected to be the new host of MasterChef. And the Sun understands 3 Beeb chef Andi Oliver and Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt are expected to be the new hosts of MasterChef Credit: BBC 3 They are being lined up following the sackings of John Torode and Gregg Wallace Credit: BBC It would debunk claims that the BBC cooking show is to be fronted by two women after the Tebbutt and Oliver would be part of a 'dream line-up', with columnist and broadcaster Grace Dent on the celebrity version. A source said: 'Matt is seen as a really safe pair of hands by the BBC. He has been in the frame for some time and is now being lined up for MasterChef. 'The BBC are keen to bring Andi Oliver on board too. She has been so popular as host of the Great British Menu. Read more on MasterChef "They're not sure if she can commit at this stage because of her schedule with that show but everyone is hoping they can get her on board.' The source added: 'Everyone loves Andi and she would be perfect for the role in many ways. "She is very talented on her own merit but she would also help bring a more diverse look for the show, which is much needed. 'The last thing the show wants is to be slapped with being 'pale, and stale' by a new generation of food lovers.' Most read in News TV Dent, 51, brought in to host the upcoming Celebrity MasterChef with Torode, is expected to remain as the host of the spin-off with Tebbutt Our insider added: 'Grace was brilliant on the celebrity spin-off. John Torode sacked by BBC after being accused of using N-word while singing along to Kanye West song Gold Digger "Nothing is set in stone yet but this is the dream line-up they're hoping for.' One was of 'unwelcome physical contact,' and others included 'inappropriate language'. 3 Columnist and broadcaster Grace Dent is set to host the celebrity version of MasterChef Credit: BBC Torode, 59, was told the BBC were The Sun yesterday revealed he had been accused of The other was claimed to have happened during a conversation with a pal on the BBC show's production team.
