MasterChef UK host John Torode has publicly confirmed that an allegation he once used “racial language” has been upheld in an independent investigation — although the veteran chef insists he has no recollection of the incident and denies it occurred.
The 59-year-old chef took to Instagram following the release of the executive summary of a reportconducted by law firm Lewis Silkin, commissioned to investigate serious conduct allegations — primarily those levelled against his long-time co-host, Gregg Wallace.
“I Do Not Believe It Happened”
Torode addressed public speculation surrounding the report’s mention of two additional individuals (outside Wallace) who had allegations upheld against them. In a bid for transparency, he confirmed:
“I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion.”
He said the alleged incident occurred sometime in 2018 or 2019, during a social situation, and that the person involved did not believe it was malicious and recalled that Torode apologized immediately.
Still, Torode maintains he has “absolutely no recollection” of the exchange and doesn’t believe it took place at all.
“Shocked and Saddened”
The Australian-British chef expressed deep concern over the claim:
“I’m shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.”
He added:
“I want to be clear that I’ve always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment.”
Torode has not been accused of a pattern of behaviour or further misconduct, and his response was issued independently of the wider and more severe allegations involving his co-host.
Fallout from the Gregg Wallace Scandal
The wider investigation led to serious consequences for Gregg Wallace, who stepped back from MasterChef in late 2024 amid mounting allegations of inappropriate behaviour spanning 19 years. The report upheld 45 out of 83 allegations, including:
• Inappropriate sexual language and jokes
• Unwelcome physical contact
• A sustained pattern of behaviour over nearly two decades
In response, the BBC announced it has no plans to work with Wallace again, stating:
“This behaviour falls below the values of the BBC and the expectations we have for anyone who works with or for us.”
The BBC also admitted “opportunities were missed” over the years to address Wallace’s conduct.
Wallace Fires Back
In a defiant Instagram statement released ahead of the report, Gregg Wallace insisted that the most serious and damaging accusations were not upheld, and blamed the media for misrepresenting his conduct. He described the claims as:
“Baseless… I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience.”
Wallace also cited his recent autism diagnosis, claiming that his neurodiversity went unacknowledged in a “dangerous environment” for over 20 years.
What’s Next for MasterChef?
While Wallace’s return has been ruled out, the BBC has yet to confirm whether his final pre-recorded series will air. The fate of John Torode’s role on the show remains unclear, though the BBC has stressed that further internal action is underway following the report’s findings.
For now, Torode has expressed a desire to be transparent, though he denies the allegation against him and reaffirms his commitment to respectful conduct on and off screen.
