Latest news with #SiKing
The Herald Scotland
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Hairy Biker Si King opens up to Robson Green in TV show
The synopsis reads: "The actor is joined by Hairy Biker Si King on his quest to find new ways of spending time in the great outdoors. "Taking the scenic route north to Chillingham, the pair head out to visit the estate's famous wild cattle". Hairy Biker Si King documents the global outrage that followed the felling of the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree. Listen to Felled: The Sycamore Gap Story on @BBCSounds 🔉 — BBC North East (@BBCNEandCumbria) July 13, 2025 Sadly, it's a repeat. The episode was first broadcast in 2023. But still, it's a chance to see Kibblesworth's favourite son appear on the box. Hexham-born Green took King along for his final North East adventure, which saw the pair head to Chillingham in Northumberland. Robson and Si embarked on a picturesque tour of Chillingham Castle, where they encountered the famous wild cattle that roam the grounds - one of the rarest animals on the planet. In the episode, you can see King full of pride for his home region as he opened up about how it had shaped his identity. "We, you and I, are products of this earth," he told Robson, gesturing to the beautiful Northumberland countryside around them. Recommended reading: "It's where our compassion comes from - it's where our crack and our humour comes from. "And in that sense, the emotional connection, I know it better than anywhere else in the world - and I love it more than anywhere else in the world." Episode 15: Robson Green's Weekend Escapes will be on Wed 23 Jul 6:30pm - 7pm on BBC2
The Irish Sun
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
MasterChef fans start petition for BBC to sign fan-favourite TV cook as John Torode's replacement after shock sacking
MASTERCHEF fans have launched a petition for the BBC to sign a fan favourite TV cook as John Torode's replacement. The Aussie chef, 59, Advertisement 4 MasterChef fans have declared who they'd like to replace John Torode Credit: BBC 4 John and Gregg Wallace began co-hosting MasterChef in 2005 Credit: BBC 4 Fans have suggested Si King as a possible replacement Credit: Rex It comes as The dossier also upheld a complaint that an unnamed person used a racial phrase once several years ago. Writing online, viewers have put their support behind a familiar face to replace John: Si King of the Hairy Bikers. One wrote on Reddit: "If Masterchef isnt cancelled Si King has to be the new presenter. Advertisement Read more on MasterChef Not sure who could join him and with Dave passing that could be an issue. "Maybe Marcus Waring or a rotating line up thinking Nigella, Marcus, Jay Rayner, not big Zuu etv." "Si encapsulates everything I like in a cooking show, he's warm, friendly and seems to love food." Another added: "Si King & keep Grace Dent. Perfect mix." Advertisement Most read in News TV While a third shared: "Si king and Ade edmondson would be great." A fourth remarked: "Si King is a great shout." Masterchef meltdown as BBC asked John Torode to RESIGN over 'racist remark' before Gregg Wallace sacking A BBC spokesperson A statement read: 'John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him. Advertisement "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. Advertisement "John Torode's contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.' MasterChef - Who could be joining the BBC series? With John Torode and Gregg Wallace now both gone from MasterChef, several names have been suggested as possible replacements. These include: Banijay wrote a statement which added: "In response to John Torode's statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously. "The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018. "This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint. Advertisement "Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef." 4 Si is well-known for working with the late Dave Myers as the Hairy Bikers Credit: PA
Scottish Sun
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
MasterChef fans start petition for BBC to sign fan-favourite TV cook as John Torode's replacement after shock sacking
Scroll to see who fans said they want to join the hit BBC show fans' demands MasterChef fans start petition for BBC to sign fan-favourite TV cook as John Torode's replacement after shock sacking Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MASTERCHEF fans have launched a petition for the BBC to sign a fan favourite TV cook as John Torode's replacement. The Aussie chef, 59, was axed from MasterChef after allegedly using a racist remark. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 MasterChef fans have declared who they'd like to replace John Torode Credit: BBC 4 John and Gregg Wallace began co-hosting MasterChef in 2005 Credit: BBC 4 Fans have suggested Si King as a possible replacement Credit: Rex It comes as a report upheld 45 of 83 allegations of bad behaviour against his co-host Gregg Wallace, who was also axed last week. The dossier also upheld a complaint that an unnamed person used a racial phrase once several years ago. Writing online, viewers have put their support behind a familiar face to replace John: Si King of the Hairy Bikers. One wrote on Reddit: "If Masterchef isnt cancelled Si King has to be the new presenter. Not sure who could join him and with Dave passing that could be an issue. "Maybe Marcus Waring or a rotating line up thinking Nigella, Marcus, Jay Rayner, not big Zuu etv." "Si encapsulates everything I like in a cooking show, he's warm, friendly and seems to love food." Another added: "Si King & keep Grace Dent. Perfect mix." While a third shared: "Si king and Ade edmondson would be great." A fourth remarked: "Si King is a great shout." Masterchef meltdown as BBC asked John Torode to RESIGN over 'racist remark' before Gregg Wallace sacking A BBC spokesperson confirmed in a statement that Torode is axed from the show. A statement read: '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.' MasterChef - Who could be joining the BBC series? With John Torode and Gregg Wallace now both gone from MasterChef, several names have been suggested as possible replacements. These include: Matt Tebbutt Grace Dent Andi Oliver Si King Banijay wrote a statement which added: "In response to John Torode's statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously. "The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018. "This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint. "Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef."
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
MasterChef fans start petition for BBC to sign fan-favourite TV cook as John Torode's replacement after shock sacking
MASTERCHEF fans have launched a petition for the BBC to sign a fan favourite TV cook as John Torode's replacement. The Aussie chef, 59, was axed from MasterChef after allegedly using a racist remark. 4 4 4 It comes as a report upheld 45 of 83 allegations of bad behaviour against his co-host Gregg Wallace, who was also axed last week. The dossier also upheld a complaint that an unnamed person used a racial phrase once several years ago. Writing online, viewers have put their support behind a familiar face to replace John: Si King of the Hairy Bikers. One wrote on Reddit: "If Masterchef isnt cancelled Si King has to be the new presenter. Not sure who could join him and with Dave passing that could be an issue. "Maybe Marcus Waring or a rotating line up thinking Nigella, Marcus, Jay Rayner, not big Zuu etv." "Si encapsulates everything I like in a cooking show, he's warm, friendly and seems to love food." Another added: "Si King & keep Grace Dent. Perfect mix." While a third shared: "Si king and Ade edmondson would be great." A fourth remarked: "Si King is a great shout." A BBC spokesperson confirmed in a statement that Torode is axed from the show. A statement read: '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.' Banijay wrote a statement which added: "In response to John Torode's statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously. "The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018. "This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint. "Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef." 4
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Hairy Biker Si King returns to Sycamore Gap tree site
When the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree was illegally felled in September 2023, TV chef and Hairy Biker Si King was among those devastated by the wanton destruction. He was so angry he could not bring himself to visit the site again - until now. He takes several deep breaths, steeling himself, then walks slowly up to the the fence surrounding the remains of the sycamore, several green shoots are growing."Dear me," Si says simply, before turning away, too overwhelmed by the "big yawning gap" in the landscape."I've put off coming to see it, because I didn't want to," he inspects the scars left by a chainsaw blade."Absolutely mindless," he the morning of 28 September 2023, when news that the much-loved landmark had been felled spread globally, Si was among those expressing their fury."You've just murdered a sentinel of time and elemental spirit of Northumberland," he raged on social media. "For whatever warped reason you've done it, it's shocking."The TV chef, best known as one half of the Hairy Bikers, had to postpone filming that day because of his "visceral reaction" to the news. In his direct message to those responsible - a 44 second clip that's had almost two million views on X - he furiously ranted that he hoped they had a from the north-east of England, where the tree had grown for more than 100 years, Si knew its importance."There was a magic and majesty to it," he says, calling it an "absolute exclamation mark of who we are in this part of the world".Men jailed for felling 'irreplaceable' sycamoreListen to Felled: The Sycamore Gap storyWatch The Sycamore Gap: From Roots to Ruin Si had been sent the news of its felling in a text message by a close friend, who had come to cherish the tree following a personal hoped she was mistaken, but links to news articles sent in follow-up messages brought the dreaded was his anger, he had to record his condemnation video several times because of the swearing in the original versions. Following a third expletive-free attempt, he asked fellow Hairy Biker and best friend Dave Myers if it was acceptable to be shared with their one million followers on X."I was absolutely raging," Si says."That level of vandalism and brutal bitterness was beyond my comprehension."I can't comprehend the mindset that would just do that. I don't understand that character and personality. That was just plain nasty."It felt so personal."That sentiment was shared by millions both in the UK and around the world. Sycamore Gap was the scene of marriage proposals, wedding photographs and somewhere grieving families scattered Si, it was a "special place" that provided moments of "peace", "solace" and "counsel." It was also somewhere he visited when "in crisis."Five months after the tree was cut down, his on-screen partner and "best mate" Dave died at the age of 66, two years after revealing he had the tree still been there, Si says he would have gone there to reflect on his loss, "given the year everybody involved with the Hairy Bikers has had". However, with only the stump remaining, it was "too much" for him to visit in the immediate aftermath of Dave's one occasion he drove to the road adjacent to Sycamore Gap, but his emotions halted his return and he "looked away", unable to bring himself to stop his was only in June, after Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, both from Cumbria, had been found guilty of chopping down the tree, that he says he felt ready to return, accompanied by a BBC film crew for the documentary The Sycamore Gap: From Roots to Ruin."It's quite difficult to put into words," he says, as he surveys the scene."I'm an emotional human being and it's sorely missed - tragically so." Sycamore Gap had extra poignancy to Si because of another personal close friend who had texted him on the day to say the tree had been cut down had lost her son when he was just the teenager's death, Sycamore Gap became a natural place for them to gather and grieve."The impact of that, because we were all very close, was enormous," Si peacefulness of Sycamore Gap was "of solace" to them all, so much so the tree was depicted on the young man's gravestone."Sycamore Gap is that important," Si says."It's not just a tree." Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
