Latest news with #JohnTorode
Times
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Operation Save Davie is on, but one more scandal and ‘he's out'
O n Friday evening, Tim Davie was at the opening night of the BBC Proms, listening to a Mendelssohn overture that was inspired by a cave on an uninhabited Scottish island. Given the past month the BBC's director-general has had, hotfooting it from the Royal Albert Hall to that Hebridean cavern may have seemed quite appealing. Last week was the most bruising in a line of bruising weeks for Davie, who was under attack on three fronts. On Monday the BBC admitted that its documentary about children in Gaza had breached editorial guidelines; the MasterChef scandal was reignited by the release of the report into Gregg Wallace's behaviour and the subsequent sacking of his former co-host John Torode; and Davie was facing renewed scrutiny over the live streaming of antisemitic comments by Bob Vylan at Glastonbury last month.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
BBC is on ‘final warning' after being rocked by a triple whammy of scandals
THE BBC is on its 'final warning' after being rocked by a triple whammy of scandals, government insiders say. The public-funded broadcaster faces tougher regulation by MPs unless it turns itself around, The Sun on Sunday understands. The Beeb is in crisis after Masterchef presenters Greg Wallace and John Torode were sacked over allegations of inappropriate and racist language. It is also facing massive questions over its Glastonbury coverage, which streamed crowds chanting 'Death of the IDF" led by punk duo Bob Vylan. And earlier this week, the BBC was found to have breached its own guidelines by airing a Gaza documentary narrated by the son of a Hamas official. Hamas is a banned terror group in Britain. But despite this, BBC head of news Deborah Turness sparked fresh fury by telling staff the Hamas government of Gaza is 'different' to its military wing - who slaughtered Jews in the October 7 terror attack. A government source said: 'This is the BBC's final warning. The public expects better - and so do we. 'When you are funded by taxpayers' hard-earned cash, there's no excuse for these kinds of failures. 'The BBC needs to get a grip or risk losing trust for good.' Bosses at the BBC are being hauled into parliament to be quizzed by MPs on the scandals after the summer. The government is currently undertaking a full warts and all review of the BBC's Charter - which sets out how it will be funded and how it answers to the government. BBC boss admits he KNEW Huw Edwards' arrest was over most serious level of child sex abuse pics It is considering giving ministers more powers to hold BBC execs to account. Ian Austin - a former Labour MP who now sits as a peer - today blasts the BBC over the shameful failures. Writing in The Sun on Sunday, he said: 'I spent decades defending the BBC. Not any more. 'It has gone from the world's best broadcaster to a national embarrassment. 'That is why even long-time supporters like me are beginning to ask why we should have to pay for it. 'You might as well replace BBC bosses with the cast of the Muppet Show.' 4 4 4
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC 'scrutinised over differing treatment of stars accused of offensive language'
BBC bosses have been called out after MasterChef presenter John Torode appeared to receive harsher punishment than EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick over use of offensive language Bosses at the BBC face a grilling over why John Torode and Jamie Borthwick were treated 'differently' after both stars used 'offensive language'. MasterChef star Torode, 59, was sacked by the broadcasting giant after a complaint John used " highly offensive racist language" was upheld. John denies the incident, which he says he has no recollection of. EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, 31, was suspended in June after 19 years playing fan favourite character Jay Brown when he was accused of using a slur targeted at disabled people while on the set of Strictly Come Dancing. However, now executives at the BBC are facing questions over why the pair have differences in their treatment with Torode losing his job entirely, while Borthwick faced a suspension. A source has 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." They continued to The Sun: "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." Meanwhile, 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 last month saw Jamie captured describing the residents of Blackpool, where the show was filming at the time, as "m********s." Co-star Wynne Evans was reportedly backstage with Borthwick at rehearsals and heard saying "Oh my God" when he made the comment. Borthwick has since apologised for using the term and admitted that he had not fully understood the derogatory nature of what he said and is now "deeply embarrassed." The soap actor said in a statement, which read: 'I want to apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for the words I used in the video showing my reaction to making it through Blackpool week on Strictly. 'I am deeply sorry for any offence and upset my words and actions have caused. It is no excuse, but I did not fully understand the derogatory term I used and its meaning. That is on me completely. 'Now I am aware, I am deeply embarrassed to have used the term and directed it in the way I did. It was wrong." He went on to issue an apology to the people of Blackpool and reiterate his regret over his words. The Mirror has contacted a representative of the star for comment at the time. Meanwhile, MasterChef star John Torode was sacked earlier this week after he came forward as the unnamed person in the firm Lewis Silkin's report, commissioned by Banjiay, into the conduct of John's co-host Gregg Wallace, following allegations of misconduct. The upheld complaint about John was "an accusation of highly offensive racist language against", which John has vehemently denied. Torode has insisted "he had absolutely no recollection" of using the racist term. John denied the allegation in a statement which read: "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 in 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. "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. I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence." The BBC announced on Tuesday (July 15) that Torode's contract was not going to be renewed and he was later sacked from MasterChef.
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jeremy Clarkson admits 'worrying' over John Torode after MasterChef axing
Former Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson said he is 'worried' for John Torode after the star was axed from MasterChef over his use of racist language Jeremy Clarkson shared his concern for John Torode after the MasterChef judge was axed from the programme when his alleged historic racist comment came to light. The MasterChef star was sacked earlier this week after he came forward as the unnamed person in the firm Lewis Silkin's report, commissioned by Banjiay, into the conduct of John's co-host Gregg Wallace, following allegations of misconduct. The upheld complaint about John was "an accusation of highly offensive racist language against", which John has vehemently denied. John denied the allegation and said in a statement: "I have no recollection of what I'm accused of." Following the MasterChef fallout, Top Gear star Jeremy took to his column to share his 'worries' for the former judge. Jeremy reflected on his time on Top Gear, recalling how the BBC programme was seen as 'the bad boy' of the channel and was always 'being carpeted by bosses' over their behaviour on the show. "Ha. It now turns out that compared to every other show on the Beeb, we were saints," he wrote for The Sun. "But that said, I am a bit worried about this John Torode chap from MasterChef. "Because he seems to have been sacked for an offence, even though no one can quite say what the offence was." Gregg Wallace was sacked from MasterChef before John, after 45 out of 83 claims against him, including "unwanted physical contact", "being in a state of undress", bullying and inappropriate jokes, were upheld. Not long after, John followed him out of the door over an allegation of using "an extremely offensive racist term", which he denies any knowledge of. It was reported that he used the N-word at a season filming wrap party in 2019 while singing along to Gold Digger by Kanye West. But BBC News say the claim actually relates to the previous year when he allegedly used the same word on set following the end of filming, and it was directed at a member of staff. The Australian star, 59, continues to insist he has 'no recollection' of the "offensive" comment he was accused of making, despite lawyers Lewis Silkin upholding the complaint. He said any racist language is "wholly unacceptable". Nine allegations were made against Torode between 2012 and 2019. Investigators classed two as not substantiated and six as having insufficient evidence. They include other allegations of abusive language towards junior production staff and sexual language. On Tuesday evening, John said in a statement: "Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay, I am seeing and reading I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef. 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."
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jeremy Clarkson 'worried' after John Torode's BBC MasterChef sacking
Jeremy Clarkson has claimed he is "worried" after John Torode was sacked from BBC's MasterChef. It was confirmed this week by the BBC and production company Banijay UK that the 59-year-old's contract on the popular show will not be renewed. The Australian-born cooking star started presenting MasterChef alongside Gregg Wallace in 2005. On Monday night, Mr Torode confirmed he was the subject of an allegation of using racist language that was upheld as part of a review carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin into the alleged behaviour of his co-presenter, Wallace. READ MORE: John Torode's wife breaks silence after MasterChef star's sacking John Torode poses with fellow MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace. (Image: PA Wire) Mr Clarkson himself was sacked from the BBC following a controversy in 2015 in which he punched Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon. The 65-year-old, along with co-stars James May and Richard Hammond, then moved to Prime Video to present The Grand Tour until last year. Now, reacting to the news about Mr Torode, Mr Clarkson has said he is "worried" for his fellow television star. In his latest column for The Sun, the Clarkson's Farm star remarked: "Funny isn't it how Top Gear was always seen as the bad boy of the BBC. "Every week, we'd be in the papers for doing something wrong or saying something inappropriate. READ MORE: Watch legendary band play hit song at Jeremy Clarkson's Cotswolds pub Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson on The Grand Tour. (Image: Prime Video) "And as a result, we were always being carpeted by bosses who told us to sit up straight and clean our teeth, and behave ourselves. "Ha. It now turns out that, compared to every other show on the Beeb, we were saints. "That said, I am a bit worried about this John Torode chap from MasterChef. "Because he seems to have been sacked for an offence, even though no one can quite say what the offence was. "He's been told that at a private party seven or eight years ago, he sang a song which someone thought was racist and that as a result, he has to go." "Who reported him? Dunno. Was there any context? No one's saying." READ MORE: Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes gives health update Your stories, your city — now at 50 per cent off. 😎 Subscribe today and stay informed. 🗞️👇 — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) July 4, 2025 Announcing Mr Torode's sacking this week, a BBC spokesperson said: 'John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him. "This allegation, which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace, was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm, Lewis Silkin. John Torode denies the allegation. "He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. 'The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. 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 on MasterChef will not be renewed.'
