John Torode was asked to resign from MasterChef by the BBC and blame mental health after he was accused of misconduct, it has been claimed. Gregg Wallace's co-presenter last night said an allegation of using racist language had been upheld against him - but he denied all wrongdoing. It has now emerged Mr Torode reportedly refused to quit when urged to stand down over the weekend.
A source told The Sun the MasterChef star, 59, was asked by the BBC and production company Banijay to pretend he had mental health issues. Taking to Instagram last night, Mr Torode, who has hosted the BBC1 cooking show with Wallace since 2005, said he was 'shocked' by the allegation which stated he 'used racial language' in a social situation. A source close to MrTorode claimed the presenter was at drinks after filming when he is alleged to have used an inappropriate racial term.
It is claimed the witness said Mr Torode apologised instantly and 'was mortified' and he 'didn't use the term as a slur'. No one complained at the time, but the incident had been brought up during Wallace's inquiry, the source said. The source went on to explain 'shockingly' Mr Torode was only made aware of the incident two weeks ago and was informed on Friday it would be upheld. Mr Torode was reportedly called by The BBC on Thursday night, followed by an email on Friday, asking him to step back and he was told to have his answer by Monday.
The source told The Sun: 'They ambushed him, and it was suggested he quit due to the stress and scrutiny of the furore around the show. 'Obviously he was absolutely shocked and appalled and told them quite firmly he didn't have any mental health issues. To try to use mental health as a get-out clause seems incredibly low -- and is also deeply unfair to those with genuine mental health trauma. 'John absolutely loves MasterChef, and doesn't want to lose his job because of an investigation into his co-star.'
Mr Torode said in last night's social media post: 'Following publication of the Executive Summary of the Investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld. 'For the sake of transparency I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. 'The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.' Mr Torode went on to say he had 'absolutely no recollection' of the incident and did 'not believe it happened'. He added: 'I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. 'I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.'
The allegation is understood to have been upheld in a report as part of a review into the behaviour of Mr Torode's former co-presenter Gregg Wallace. It comes after Wallace hit out at the BBC as the probe upheld more than half of the complaints of inappropriate behaviour against him, with the presenter warning he 'won't be the last' to be cancelled. The report into Wallace's behaviour on the cooking show upheld 45 out of 83 complaints made, including one count of 'unwanted physical contact', leaving the BBC to admit it 'could and should have' acted sooner on the MasterChef host. The damning investigation also found that two complaints about the behaviour of 'other people' were upheld.
While apologising for any 'distress' he caused, Wallace has taken aim at the MasterChef broadcaster, which he claims has valued 'protecting its legacy' over 'protecting people'. Warning that it was 'dangerous' to be a 'working-class man with a direct manner' in the world of broadcasting, he said he 'won't be the last' to face cancellation. The presenter said: 'In the end, the BBC left me exposed to trial by media and the damage it leaves in its wake. 'To those who've shown kindness, thank you. It mattered. This has been brutal. For a working-class man with a direct manner, modern broadcasting has become a dangerous place. I was the headline this time. But I won't be the last. 'There will be more casualties if the BBC continues down this path, where protecting its legacy matters more than protecting people. For my part, with full legal support, I will consider my next move.'
Patrick Holland, CEO of MasterChef production company Banijay, said he was 'extremely sorry' to those who had been impacted by Wallace's behaviour and added that the report makes the star's 'return to MasterChef untenable'. Wallace's statement, supplied to the PA news agency before being published on Instagram, noted that he 'never set out to harm or humiliate' anyone and that he was 'deeply sorry for any distress caused'. He said his 'late autism diagnosis' - which he received while he stepped back from MasterChef at the end of last year - has helped him to understand how he communicates and how he is perceived. He said: 'For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud. Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait. None of the serious allegations against me were upheld. 'I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended. 'I'm relieved that the Banijay report fully recognises that my behaviour changed profoundly in 2018. 'Some of my humour and language missed the mark. I never set out to harm or humiliate. I always tried to bring warmth and support to MasterChef, on screen and off.
'After nearly 20 years on the show, I now see that certain patterns, shaped by traits I've only recently begun to understand, may have been misread. I also accept that more could have been done, by others and by myself, to address concerns earlier. 'A late autism diagnosis has helped me understand how I communicate and how I'm perceived. I'm still learning. Banijay have given me great support, and I thank them.'
Wallace's fiery statement comes just days after he said he would 'not go quietly' in a post which has since been deleted from his Instagram page.
The BBC said the investigation into a 'substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct' over 19 years highlighted behaviour that falls below the corporation's values . 'Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour - both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC,' a spokesman added. 'We accept more could and should have been done sooner.' The corporation would not confirm whether they will broadcast the series of MasterChef they filmed with him last Autumn.
John Torode, The BBC and Banijay UK have been contacted for further comment on the 'mental health' allegation and whether Mr Torode had been asked - and refused - to step down.