John Torode, a prominent figure in the culinary television world and presenter of the popular series MasterChef, has recently been subjected to serious allegations concerning the use of racist language. This accusation arose during an inquiry conducted into various allegations involving his co-host, Gregg Wallace. The report, ordered by Banijay, the production company behind MasterChef, has upheld multiple accusations against Wallace, who has since issued an apology for his behavior.
According to Torode’s Instagram post, the specific allegation against him pertains to comments he allegedly made in 2018 or 2019. He emphasized that although he is aware of the accusation, he has no recollection of being involved in any such incident and firmly stated, “I do not believe that it happened.” The very fact that such an allegation has emerged has left him feeling shocked and saddened, reaffirming that he finds any form of racial language completely unacceptable.
In his statement, he provided further clarification, confirming that the nature of the allegation was that the individual he purportedly spoke to at the time did not perceive his words as being said with malice. He also reiterated that he quickly offered an apology following the incident, although he cannot remember it occurring at all. Torode’s comments suggest a conflict between the serious nature of the allegation and his own personal conviction that no harm was intended.
The inquiry itself identified a total of 83 allegations made against Wallace, with the majority relating to inappropriate sexual language and humor, alongside culturally insensitive comments. Of particular note is the acknowledgment of two standalone allegations against other individuals, one of which corresponds to the racism claim against Torode.
On a parallel note, Wallace has publicly expressed deep remorse for any distress his actions may have caused. Regarding the upholding of separate allegations against him, he conveyed to the PA news agency that he “never set out to harm or humiliate,” indicating a consideration of intent that parallels Torode’s defense: both presenters seem to emphasize a lack of malice in their respective situations.
Following the report’s findings and the crucial mentioning of his conduct leading to disciplinary action, Wallace was relieved from his presenting duties. This decision was announced in light of the extensive list of substantiated claims, which culminated in his departure from MasterChef in November 2024 while the investigation was still ongoing. In what appears to be a belated attempt at self-defense, Wallace criticized the media’s portrayal of him, referring to the BBC’s coverage as “uncorroborated tittle tattle.”
Reacting to the fallout from the allegations, Torode remains firm in his stance against racism and is evidently distressed by the implications that have arisen from this inquiry. He articulated that he holds a clear position on racial language, denouncing it in any context as wholly unacceptable.
As this situation continues to unfold, with legal and professional ramifications lingering in the air, it poses serious questions about accountability and the impact of words in public life, particularly within the vibrant yet scrutinized context of televised competitions like MasterChef. The effects of these allegations extend not just to Torode and Wallace, but also serve as an important reminder of the responsibility that public figures hold in their communication and influence on societal standards regarding race and discrimination.
