John Torode breaks silence on MasterChef axing in blunt 7-word response

John Torode has broken his silence just hours after he was axed from MasterChef after almost 20 years presenting the BBC cooking show. His departure comes days after Gregg Wallace, 60, was axed from the BBC series following an investigation into his behaviour. Following an internal investigation, John, 59, has also been forced to stand down after a historic accusation of racism surfaced in the report.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday (July 15), he wrote: "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 what I am meant to have said something wrong.

"I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exut 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.

"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.

"For whoever takes over, love it as I have. I will watch fondly from afa as I now focus on the many other exciting prokects that I have been working towards.

"My tummy will be grateful for the rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been. Life is everchanging and ever moving & sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. Thank you for the many years of MasterChef."

Torode began presenter MasterChef alongside Wallace back in 2005. On Monday night (July 14), Torode confirmed he was the subject of an allegation of using racist language which was upheld as part of a review carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin into the alleged behaviour of his co-presenter.

A statement from Banijay UK on Tuesday saud: "In response to John Torode's statement, it is important to stress that Banijy 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 offenseive racist language against John Torode which occured 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 Lewis Silkin report, commissioned by Banijay UK, found 45 of the 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated, alongside two standalone allegations made against other people, including one for using racist language.

It comes after BBC Directo General Tim Davie has made his feelings clear about the axed MasterChef hosts. He confirmed that the culinary show would have a home on the flagship channel for many years to come and insisted that the show was "bigger than [the] individuals" who presented it.

Despite the scandal, he gave the cooking show his backing as he confirmed that it would have a home on the BBC beyond 2028. He said at the launch of the BBC's annual report: "I absolutely think it does [have a future on the BBC beyond 2028].

"I think a great programme that's well loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals. It absolutely can survive and prosper, but we've got to make sure we're in teh right place in terms of the culture of the show."

The BBC exec also said they are yet to make a decision about what to do with the series of MasterChef that was filmed last Autumn with axed presenters Gregg and John.

He went on: "In terms of the series [that is already filmed], I think this is a difficult decision. We need to weigh it up carefully, as we're thinking through things.

"As editor-in-chief, I think my overwhelming concern is that we've got all the amateur chefs that gave their heart and soul to this program and we have to reflect on that.

"Talk to them, consult them, think about the audience, and then make a call, and that's what we're going through now. That's the process we're going through now."

He concluded: "I'm not ruling out one way or the other or ruling out not airing it. I just want to go through the process. And then we can quickly make a call."