Latest news with #DurhamCountyCouncil
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
John Torode cancels public appearance event at last minute after Masterchef axe
John Torode was set to step out at food festival next month but has now pulled out of the event amid his exit from the BBC. John Torode has withdrawn from the Seaham Food Festival, Durham County Council has confirmed. The former MasterChef host was set to be the star of the show at the council run event on August 2 and 3. Torode was expected to dazzle festival-goers in the cookery theatre with his culinary expertise but has now dropped out of the event. Despite his cancellation, Dean Edwards, Chris Baber, Nelly Ghaffar and other renowned chefs will still join over 120 traders in the seaside town for the weekend's festivities. A representative from Durham County Council said: "We appreciate this has been a difficult time for John and, as a result, he has decided to take some time out. He will, therefore, not be appearing at this year's Seaham Food Festival." The announcement comes after the BBC and MasterChef production company Banijay's decision not to renew Torode's contract amid allegations of him using "highly offensive racist language" back in 2018. John has vehemently denied the claim, insisting that he does not remember such an incident occurring, the Mirror reports. The allegation surfaced during an independent probe conducted by the legal firm Lewis Silkin, which had previously substantiated 45 complaints against John's co-presenter Gregg Wallace, who was axed from MasterChef earlier this year. John took to Instagram on Tuesday to address rumours of his departure from MasterChef, claiming the BBC and Banijay had left him in the dark. The celebrity chef expressed his own confusion about the situation, writing: "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. "The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Torode expressed disappointment at being axed from the show which he has been a part of since its 2005 relaunch and said that recent events seemed to have taken that choice away. The 59-year-old reflected on his time and future on the BBC show, saying: "I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in the last few days seem to have prevented that. "Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future." Confirming his exit, he announced: "Celebrity MasterChef, which I recently filmed with Grace Dent along with two fantastic Christmas specials will be my last. "Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else." He encouraged whoever replaces him to cherish the role as much as he did and said he will continue to keep updated with the show while he focuses on new projects. Torode added: "For whoever takes over, love it as I have. I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards." Acknowledging the impact of his long tenure on the show, he joked about his stomach needing a break after two decades. He added: "My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been. Life is everchanging and ever moving and sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. "Thank you for the many years of MasterChef. JOHN TORODE."
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
John Torode pulls out of event at the last minute after Masterchef axing
Durham County Council has confirmed that John Torode has withdrawn from the Seaham Food Festival. The celebrity chef and former MasterChef host was scheduled to be the star attraction at the council-run event on August 2 and 3. John was expected to dazzle festival-goers in the cookery theatre with his culinary expertise. Despite his absence, Dean Edwards, Chris Baber, Nelly Ghaffar and other renowned chefs will still join over 120 traders in the seaside town for the weekend's festivities. A representative from Durham County Council stated: "We appreciate this has been a difficult time for John and, as a result, he has decided to take some time out. He will, therefore, not be appearing at this year's Seaham Food Festival." This announcement follows the BBC and MasterChef production company Banijay's decision not to renew Torode's contract amid allegations of him using "highly offensive racist language" back in 2018. John has refuted the claim, asserting that he does not remember such an incident occurring. The allegation surfaced during an independent probe conducted by the legal firm Lewis Silkin, which had previously substantiated 45 complaints against John's co-presenter Gregg Wallace, reports Chronicle Live. John Torode is to be a special guest at Bishop Auckland Food Festival. Credit Jane Sebire (Image: PR) John took to Instagram on Tuesday to address rumours of his departure from MasterChef, claiming the BBC and Banijay had left him in the dark. The celebrity chef expressed his confusion, posting: "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. The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong." He expressed his disappointment at not having a say in his exit from the show he'd been part of since its 2005 relaunch, noting that recent events seemed to have taken that choice away. The TV star reflected on his time and future, saying: "I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few days seem to have prevented that. Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future." John Torode released a statement on Tuesday Confirming his departure, he announced: "Celebrity MasterChef, which I recently filmed with Grace Dent along with two fantastic Christmas specials will be my last. Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else." He encouraged his successor to cherish the role as much as he did and revealed his plans to watch the show's progress while pursuing other ventures. Torode added: "For whoever takes over, love it as I have. I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards." Acknowledging the impact of his long tenure on the show, he joked about his stomach needing a break after two decades. He concluded with heartfelt thanks for the years spent on 'MasterChef': "My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been. Life is everchanging and ever moving and sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. "Thank you for the many years of MasterChef. JOHN TORODE."
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Durham County Council set to vote on tougher HMO rules
Council leaders hope new measures to control the number of shared homes will help balance communities across a rules are set to be introduced by Durham County Council to combat the rapid increase in homes in multiple occupation (HMO).Councillors will vote on plans to force all HMOs, regardless of size, to go through the full planning process under Article 4 regulations on 21 properties for between three and six residents can be converted without receiving planning permission. Concerned residents previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the increase in HMOs had negatively impacted their Lyndsey Fox, cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "During the past few years, we have seen a steady increase in HMOs, with the number rising more significantly since 2021."An overconcentration of this type of household can have a negative impact on day-to-day life for communities, often because of issues such as increased noise, the general appearance of properties, refuse management and parking issues."She also highlighted the longer term impacts of the loss of family housing and the impact on community cohesion. Concerns from residents Article 4 regulations are currently in place in areas around Durham popular with students. Now, members of Durham County Council's cabinet will consider undertaking a consultation on the introduction of a countywide in Darlington recently approved a similar said the council already use a range of powers to crackdown on HMO-related issues, such as planning and licensing enforcement and environmental health notices. But the council was still hearing concerns from residents about the impact such properties were having in the region, she said."Implementing the Article 4 Direction across the county will avoid concentrations of HMOs in alternative locations to where we are seeing issues now," she said. Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
County Durham takeaway accused of employing illegal workers faces review
A Chinese takeaway accused of employing illegal workers will face a licensing review. The future of New Red Lantern, Chester-le-Street, will be considered by Durham County Council at a meeting next week. Immigration officers raided the Front Street premises on February 8 and arrested two people after discovering they worked there illegally. A total of eight illegal workers have been encountered during three visits between 2019 and 2025, according to the Home Office. 'Immigration Enforcement has serious concerns that repeated breaches of the prevention of crime and disorder objective are taking place at the premises, due to a failure to conduct right to work checks on staff,' a report said. The behaviour of an unnamed member of staff, who obstructed and assaulted an officer, was labelled 'completely unacceptable'. Staff are also accused of refusing to cooperate with officers' investigations and shouting warnings to workers to evade detection. Following the latest raid, the Home Office has requested that the premises licence be revoked. The report added: 'This premises has repeatedly been found using illegal workers. It is considered that this shows a failure to uphold the licensing objectives. 'The first visit should have served as an opportunity to improve their business practices; however, this was not the case. The assault on an immigration officer is also a serious aggravating factor in this case.' Licence holder Song Min He said they rented the takeaway to another company in 2022 due to illness. The business has already been fined £28,000 for employing workers illegally, with another potential penalty under consideration. Reform UK reveals 5 key priorities for the future of County Durham Council plans tougher HMO rules to balance County Durham communities Plea to reverse decision to close County Durham hospital treatment centre overnight Responding to the licence review, Song Min He said: 'I know that it is wrong to employ people who are not allowed to work in this country. As I am now slowly recovering, I have taken steps to terminate the contract with Dhax Limited. 'I have agreed with a new tenant. I have emphasised to them that they must not employ illegal workers.' The council's licensing committee is due to decide on Tuesday (July 22).
BBC News
12-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Mystery of Finchdale Priory sword found in tree
A sword found stuck in a tree trunk near a 13th Century priory could have been put there by a Harry Potter fan, volunteers have theorised.A walker heading for Finchale Priory in Durham from the city's bus station came across the ornate sword, embedded up to its hilt in a remains a mystery to English Heritage, which preserves the old Benedictine priory, and to Durham County Council, which owns the land the sword was found English Heritage volunteer speculated the model sword had been made by a Potter fan in a nod to the fantasy series. Walker Alan Finnegan said he stumbled across the "sword in the tree" on the way to the priory."It was on the other side of the river, up the steps towards the car park," he posted images of the mystery sword on social media, said he had discovered nothing concrete about the weapon's his appeals, people told him that the sword might not have been in the tree for a very long time. "I personally don't know much about the history but I've heard that it wasn't there for long, but with not much information on it, I'd say that it's a brilliant conversation starter," Mr Finnegan said."It makes people wonder about the history of the sword and where it has come from." The council confirmed the sword was on its land but said it did not know anything about it. It added the police had been informed, but no action needed to be taken as it was firmly lodged in the tree. Godric's sword? Finchdale Priory was founded in 1196 and became an outpost of Durham Cathedral, functioning as a holiday retreat for monks until the dissolution in Heritage spoke to its volunteers at the priory, who believe the sword must have been put there volunteer said: "I walked past the tree many times without noticing it and I only became aware of it when a visitor asked me what the story was behind it. "Following that, I was asked by some of the younger visitors where 'Godric's sword' was."In the Harry Potter book series, Godric's sword belonged to one of the founders of the Hogwarts houses, Gryffindor, and would only present itself to a worthy candidate."It's definitely not that sword, however, as it is described as having a handle that is encrusted with jewels," the volunteer said."My theory is that a Harry Potter fan made the sword and hammered it into the tree and then posted a pic on his or her social media asking 'is this Godric's sword?'" Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
