How ‘heartbroken' & ‘blindsided' MasterChef star John Torode learned BBC had sacked him over ‘racism at work' revealed

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
MASTERCHEF presenter John Torode learned yesterday that he had been sacked by reading about it on the BBC News website.
The star, 59, was said to be heartbroken after the BBC and production firm Banijay confirmed his dismissal for racist language following the Gregg Wallace scandal.
6
John Torode was said to be heartbroken after his dismissal from Masterchef was confirmed
Credit: Alamy
6
John was dismissed for racist language following the Gregg Wallace scandal
Credit: BBC
6
John pictured with his wife Lisa Faulkner
Credit: PA
6
John Torode's statement in full
Credit: instagram
A source said: 'John had no idea.
'He was blindsided.'
His axing came after Beeb chief Tim Davie said no presenter was bigger than the show.
BBC's MasterChef meltdown
The Corporation said: 'John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language.
'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's agent received a call 11 minutes before the statements went out and hadn't had a chance to call him.
Source
'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 read about it on the BBC News website.
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.
'Devastated' Gregg Wallace FIRED by BBC over MasterChef sexual comments
'Obviously he's heartbroken.
'He feels he's been made a scapegoat off the back of the Gregg Wallace report.'
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.'
The report into the behaviour of MasterChef co-host Gregg Wallace, 60, upheld 45 of 83 complaints from 2005 to 2024, leading to his sacking.
Mental health issues
Torode was cited in the rep­ort — but not named — over a racist remark allegedly made during a private conversation.
We revealed yesterday that BBC bosses had asked Torode to resign at the weekend and claim he had mental health issues.
He refused to do so.
No decision has been made as to whether the next MasterChef series will be aired.
Mr Davie insisted the show 'absolutely' had a future and was 'much bigger than individuals'.
6
Torode learned that he had been sacked by reading about it on the BBC News website
Credit: Getty
6
John 'feels he's been made a scapegoat off the back of the Gregg Wallace report'
Credit: PA