Australia’s John Torode sacked from MasterChef UK for using ‘offensive racist term’

Aussie-born chef John Torode is reportedly lawyering up after his sacking from MasterChef UK as sources close to the investigation into his conduct reveal the “racist term” he allegedly used.

The alleged racist slur at the centre of an investigation which led to the sacking of Australian celebrity chef John Torode after 20 years as co-presenter of MasterChef UK has been revealed.

The Times of London reports the independent investigation by legal firm Lewis Silkin into Mr Torode’s conduct which lead to his dismissal found Mr Torode allegedly used the n-word during a private conversation. The chef denies using the word.

Quoting what it described as a source close to Mr Torode, The Mirror reported the Aussie ex-pat had lawyered up in the wake of his contract not being renewed.

“John is preparing to launch the lawsuit … for unfair dismissal. He’s telling people there is no proof of his supposed comment,” the source told The Mirror.

“It was not in a work capacity, it was just hearsay. John is determined to clear his name.”

John Torode and Gregg Wallace starred on MasterChef UK together.

While the BBC may have cut ties with Mr Toride, The Times reports ITV, who air another of his cooking shows in the UK, are standing by him.

John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen - a show Mr Torode hosts with his wife Lisa Faulkner - will air on Saturday as scheduled.

Mr Torode is the latest to be sacked from the UK’s MasterChef.

His departure from the iconic kitchen comes hot on the heels of his co-star Gregg Wallace who was let go over separate allegations last week.

The termination of their contracts came after an independent investigation by Lewis Silkin, a legal firm, handed down their findings into the conduct of the celebrity chefs.

MasterChef UK’s production company Banijay agreed to show the door to both men following the findings of the report. Torode has denied wrongdoing.

The accusations against Wallace, 60, include an incident of “unwelcome physical contact” while Torode, 59, is alleged to have used “highly offensive racist language.”

Torode said he first learned he had lost his job after reading about it in the media.

“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,” Torode wrote on Instagram.

“The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong.

“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 seem to have prevented that.

“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.”

Banijay UK have also released a statement in the wake of the report.

Gregg Wallace and John Torode, pictured here in 2009.

“In response to John Torode’s statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously,” the statement reads.

“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 BBC also acknowledged the Aussie chef did not believe he had done anything wrong.

“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 statement reads.

Both celebrity chefs have now lost their jobs.

“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.”

For his part Wallace said he was “deeply sorry for any distress caused” adding he had “never set out to harm or humiliate”.

Originally published as Australia’s John Torode sacked from MasterChef UK for using ‘offensive racist term’