Latest news with #Spooning
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC MasterChef winner 'feels awful' for John Torode as complaint left her 'gobsmacked'
John Torode was sacked from MasterChef earlier this month after an allegation of racism was upheld against him, while his co-host Gregg Wallace was also axed from the BBC show Former MasterChef champion Thomasina Miers has revealed she "feels awful" following John Torode's dismissal from the BBC cooking programme as the complaint against him left her "gobsmacked". Since being selected to co-present the revamped MasterChef in 2005, John Torode and Gregg Wallace developed into one of British television's most recognisable partnerships. Their partnership was torn apart in recent weeks after 45 complaints were sustained against Wallace, including one for "unwelcome physical contact" and three involving a state of undress. Shortly after Wallace's downfall, co-star Torode faced a single racism allegation which was upheld, resulting in his departure. Torode has vehemently rejected the racism claim and has voiced his shock and sadness. During an appearance on the Spooning with Mark Wogan podcast, Thomasina reflected on her experience on the programme. Speaking about the allegation against Torode, she revealed: "I felt awful for John. I mean, and also the elegance of his response to it, how he conducted himself." She continued: "I think, yeah, I was kind of gobsmacked by John (the news of the allegation being upheld), who was so caring and intent on the people under his watch, under his care." Thomasina claimed victory in the first series of the relaunched MasterChef in 2005. Twelve months after her triumph, she launched her own restaurant empire, establishing the beloved Mexican-inspired street food chain Wahaca, which now operates 14 locations across the UK. Thomasina isn't the only famous face to show their support for Torode after the racism claim emerged. Both Amanda Holden and McFly's Danny Jones showed their backing by liking the ex-MasterChef presenter's Instagram post from July 14, where he acknowledged being the person at the centre of the "racial language" allegations. A BBC spokesman issued a statement declaring: "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." The opening three instalments of the current MasterChef series - showcasing Torode and Wallace prior to their dismissals - landed on iPlayer yesterday morning (Wednesday, August 6). The episodes seem to have been trimmed to feature reduced jokes between the duo and less interaction with the amateur cooks than viewers typically expect.
Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
The One Show star Alex Jones hung up on BBC bosses after important question
Alex Jones has been presenting The One Show for over a decade, but she almost turned down the opportunity when she was first offered the job in 2010 Welsh television personality Alex Jones has revealed how she landed her presenting role on The One Show, paying tribute to the programme's Friday host, Chris Evans, for teaching her "everything" about fronting live TV. Chatting to Mark Wogan on his Spooning podcast, Alex recounted being approached by The One Show producers back in 2010, following the departure of former presenters Adrian Chiles and Christine Lampard. Initially, she admits she didn't take the phone call about the opportunity seriously, failing to grasp that she was being considered as a potential host. Believing the BBC simply wanted her to cover a handful of segments, she declined the offer, citing her packed schedule with other commitments: "I was doing a surfing programme, a poker programme, a holiday programme, a fashion programme, and just in general, like, a bit of a chat show as well on BBC Wales. So I was quite busy, and I thought they meant to be a reporter." But when the caller clarified that Alex was actually being lined up as a potential presenter, she assumed someone was "winding her up" and hung up the phone. Only afterwards was she convinced the opportunity was legitimate: "We did six weeks of auditions with various people. And ultimately, myself and Jason Manford got the job." Alex underwent a transformation, swapping her surfer-chick vibe for a more polished look as a tea-time presenter, which coincided with the start of her on-screen partnership with Jason. She reminisced about their early days in London, where they initially stayed at a swanky hotel in Sloane Square due to not having permanent digs in the city: "Jason and I didn't know anybody in London when we came, so we were like two students... "We lived in this hotel in Sloane Square, which was so weird. And I remember that shepherd's pie was £37, and we couldn't believe how expensive it was. We were living this funny life where we didn't know anybody. "And after each show, we'd go to the cinema like two kids, because we didn't know anybody, and we were far away from our families. And then we'd eat this expensive shepherd's pie and complain to the BBC that it was £37 and ask, 'Why aren't you giving us any expenses?'" However, it was her connection with Chris Evans, who covered for Jason on Fridays, that truly helped her settle in: "I still have a real soft spot for him. And he actually was the one that taught me everything I know." When Jason departed the programme, Chris took Alex under his wing, showing her the ropes of London's media scene: "We just got on like a house on fire and had the best time. And just every Friday, we'd go out after the show. That's when I sort of settled into London, I think," she fondly recalled.
Wales Online
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Alex Jones names The One Show co-host who 'taught her everything'
Alex Jones names The One Show co-host who 'taught her everything' Carmarthenshire's Alex Jones was thrown in the deep end soon after taking up the reins of The One Show, after Jason Manford's sudden departure, but one BBC colleague helped her through Alex underwent a massive makeover ahead for her first One Show appearance (Image: Karwai Tang, WireImagevia Getty Images ) Welsh TV star Alex Jones has told the story of how she came to present The One Show, and credits the BBC show's Friday presenter, Chris Evans, with teaching her "everything" she needed to know about anchoring a live television programme. Speaking to Mark Wogan on his Spooning podcast, Alex explained that she had initially been contacted by The One Show producers in 2010, after then-hosts Adrian Chiles and Christine Lampard had both decided to quit. She explained that, at first, she hadn't taken the phone call about the job very seriously, not realising that she had been shortlisted as a potential presenter. She was joined for her initial One Show run by Jason Manford, with Chris Evans filling in on Fridays (Image: John Phillips, UK Press via Getty Images ) Assuming that the BBC wanted her to just report on a few segments, she turned them down, explaining that she was "too busy" with other work: "I was doing a surfing programme, a poker programme, a holiday programme, a fashion programme, and just in general, like, a bit of a chat show as well on BBC Wales. So I was quite busy, and I thought they meant to be a reporter." However, when the voice on the other end of the phone informed Alex she was being considered as a potential presenter, she decided that it was someone "winding her up," and put the phone down. Article continues below It was only later that she was persuaded the offer was genuine: "We did six weeks of auditions with various people. And ultimately myself and Jason Manford got the job." Alex enjoyed an easy on-screen rapport with Chris (Image: Eamonn McCormack, WireImagevia Getty Images ) Alex had a makeover, involving a haircut and complete wardrobe rethink to make her look less like a surfer chick and more like a tea-time presenter, and began her brief on-screen partnership with Jason. She recalled how she and Jason were booked into a posh London hotel at first, with neither of them having a permanent residence in London at the time: "Jason and I didn't know anybody in London when we came, so we were like two students ... "We lived in this hotel in Sloane Square, which was so weird. And I remember that shepherd's pie was £37, and we couldn't believe how expensive it was. We were living this funny life where we didn't know anybody. She credits Chris with teaching her 'everything' about live TV (Image: Simon James, GC Imagesvia Getty Images ) Article continues below "And after each show, we'd go to the cinema like two kids, because we didn't know anybody who were far away from our families. And then we'd eat this expensive shepherd's pie and complain to the BBC that it was £37 pounds, and why aren't you giving us any expenses?" But it was her rapport with Jason's Friday afternoon stand-in, Chris Evans that really helped her find her feet, she says: "I still have a real soft spot for him. And he, actually, was the one that taught me everything I know." After Jason left the show, Chris made it his business to help Alex feel at home in the new London media world she had found herself in: "We just got on like a house on fire and had the best time. And just every Friday, we'd go out after the show. That's when I sort of settled into London, I think," she recalled.
Scottish Sun
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Love Island's Tasha Ghouri made surprising dating announcement just WEEKS before meeting new CBBC boyfriend
LOVE Island's Tasha Ghouri made a surprising dating announcement just WEEKS before meeting her new CBBC boyfriend. Tasha, 26, insisted she was staying single and not looking for love, dismissing the idea of appearing on another reality romance show. 5 Love Island's Tasha Ghouri made a surprising dating announcement just WEEKS ago Credit: Instagram 5 She is dating YouTuber and CBBC star Cam Whitnall Credit: Instagram In an interview from 22nd April, the deaf dancer was quizzed about her single status amid rumours she had reunited with her Love Island ex Andrew LePage, 29. During an appearance on the Spooning with Mark Wogan podcast, she was asked about returning to the villa again - months after her two-and-a-half year relationship ended. Strictly star Tasha said firmly: "I wouldn't do it again, no All Stars for me. The door is open, but for me I've kind of moved on from that chapter." Grilled on whether she would do another dating show again like Celebs Go Dating, Tasha said: "Absolutely not. No! "The thought of dating anytime soon makes me like, eugh." The podcast host then brought up The Sun's exclusive story about Tasha blindsiding Andrew by looking for love before he knew the relationship was over for good. Those close to Andrew said he was completely unaware Tasha was already moving on. Tasha then hurriedly removed her Raya profile. She said: "I've already owned up to it, so yeah. "And admitted you thought it was a mistake in retrospect?" asked Mark. Love Island's Andrew reveals he's secretly dating again five months after bitter split with Strictly's Tasha "Yeah. I'm happy being single at the moment." Today, it was revealed Tasha has a new boyfriend in YouTuber Cam Whitnall, who stars in CBBC show One Zoo Three with his brothers. A source said: "Tasha and Cam are in the early stages of dating. "They have been seeing each other for around a month now and share so much in common, from a personal and professional standpoint." The insider added to MailOnline: "Cam is a great guy and has a lot going for him, Tasha has definitely been thrilled getting to know him and the feeling is mutual." Tasha's rep told The Sun said: 'Tasha and Cam have been getting to know each other and have been on a few dates.' 5 The former Love Island star opened up on Spooning with Mark Wogan Credit: instagram/@spooningwithmarkwogan 5 Host Mark Wogan grilled Tasha on her love life Credit: instagram/@spooningwithmarkwogan
The Irish Sun
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Love Island's Tasha Ghouri made surprising dating announcement just WEEKS before meeting new CBBC boyfriend
LOVE Island's Tasha Ghouri made a surprising dating announcement just WEEKS before meeting her new CBBC boyfriend. 5 Love Island's Tasha Ghouri made a surprising dating announcement just WEEKS ago Credit: Instagram 5 She is dating YouTuber and CBBC star Cam Whitnall Credit: Instagram In an interview from 22nd April, the deaf dancer was quizzed about her single status amid During an appearance on the Strictly star Tasha said firmly: "I wouldn't do it again, no All Stars for me. The door is open, but for me I've kind of moved on from that chapter." Grilled on whether she would do another dating show again like Celebs Go Dating, Tasha said: "Absolutely not. No! read more on Tasha Ghouri "The thought of dating anytime soon makes me like, eugh." The podcast host then brought up The Sun's exclusive story about Those close to Andrew said he was completely unaware Tasha then hurriedly removed her Raya profile. Most read in Love Island She said: "I've already owned up to it, so yeah. "And admitted you thought it was a mistake in retrospect?" asked Mark. Love Island's Andrew reveals he's secretly dating again five months after bitter split with Strictly's Tasha "Yeah. I'm happy being single at the moment." Today, it was revealed A source said: "Tasha and Cam are in the early stages of dating . "They have been seeing each other for around a month now and share so much in common, from a personal and professional standpoint." The insider added to Tasha's rep told The Sun said: 'Tasha and Cam have been getting to know each other and have been on a few dates.' 5 The former Love Island star opened up on Spooning with Mark Wogan Credit: instagram/@spooningwithmarkwogan 5 Host Mark Wogan grilled Tasha on her love life Credit: instagram/@spooningwithmarkwogan 5 Tasha and Andrew Le Page split in January Credit: Instagram
