John Torode, host of the original “MasterChef” program in the U.K., has been fired for making a racist comment on set, the BBC said Tuesday.
Torode, 59, denied the allegations in multiple statements, but did not appear to contest his dismissal.
“I’d hoped that I’d have some say in my exit from a show I’ve worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in [the] last few days seem to have prevented that,” he wrote Tuesday in an Instagram statement. “Life is ever changing and ever moving and sometimes personal happiness and fulfillment lay elsewhere.”
Torode’s departure throws “MasterChef” into chaos. His co-host, Gregg Wallace, was fired on Monday after several women accused him of inappropriate workplace conduct. The two men had hosted “MasterChef” since 2005, when it was rebooted by the BBC, and helped it spawn numerous versions worldwide.
The BBC and Torode provided alternate descriptions of the alleged racist comments. The broadcaster said the investigation involved “an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace.”
On Monday, Torode claimed he could not remember any such offensive comment, but the probe centered on a remark he made back in 2018 or 2019 “in a social situation.” According to Torode, the comment was not received maliciously.
“I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe it happened,” he wrote.
BBC leaders have insisted that “MasterChef” will continue as a program, even though both hosts have now been fired.
With News Wire Services
