MasterChef presenter John Torode will not work on the present after an allegation he used an “extremely offensive racist term” was upheld in a report, the BBC has stated.
It comes after a report led by the regulation agency Lewis Silkin into the behaviour of former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace that discovered 45 of 83 allegations towards him had been substantiated.
On Monday night, Torode confirmed {that a} standalone allegation of utilizing racist language was upheld towards him.
He stated he had “absolutely no recollection of any of this” and that he “did not believe that it happened,” including that “racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment”.
In a press release on Tuesday afternoon, a BBC spokesperson stated the previous presenter “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,” they added.
“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 spokesperson then stated: “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 is not going to be renewed.”
Banijay UK additionally stated it “takes this matter incredibly seriously” and stated Lewis Silkin “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,” it added.
“Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.”
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