MasterChef presenter John Torode has confirmed he is the subject of an allegation of using racist language that was upheld as part of a review into the behaviour of co-presenter Gregg Wallace.
The report, commissioned by MasterChef production company Banijay and led by law firm Lewis Silkin, found 45 out of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated, alongside two standalone allegations made against other people, including one for using racist language.
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In a post on Instagram, Torode confirmed he was the person alleged to have used racist language but said he had "no recollection of the incident" and was "shocked and saddened" by the allegation.
His statement said: "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.
"I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. However, 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."
It comes after Wallace said he was "deeply sorry for any distress caused" and that he "never set out to harm or humiliate" in the wake of the report, which included one allegation of "unwelcome physical contact" that was upheld.
In November 2024, the show's production company, Banijay UK, announced that Wallace, 60, would step away from his role on MasterChef while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated.
Source: Press Association
