TIM Davies has broken his silence on MasterChef’s future after a bombshell report into Gregg Wallace’s inappropriate behaviour and John Torode’s alleged racist remark.
The investigation, which upheld 45 of 83 allegations against Wallace, 60, dropped yesterday.
John Torode confirmed he was one of the people mentioned in the report into Wallace’s behaviour[/caption]
The dossier also upheld a complaint that an unnamed person used a racial phrase once several years ago.
Torode confirmed to The Sun last night it referred to him, but said: “I have absolutely no recollection of this, and I do not believe that it happened.”
Speaking about whether MasterChef has a future, Tim Davies said today: “I absolutely think it does, I think a great programme that’s loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals.
“It absolutely can survive and prosper, but we’ve got to make sure we’re in the right place in terms of the culture of the show.”
The BBC Director General was also asked about whether John Torode would remain on the show.
“There has to be follow-up, so the BBC, in some ways, we’re quite simple on this, if someone is found to not live up to the values we expect, the independent company, Banijay, in this case, to take action and report back to us on what they have done,” he said.
“These aren’t BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken, that’s the first thing I’d say.”
His statement comes in light of the BBC Annual Report which was published today.
The scandal-hit BBC boss has been given a sizeable pay rise to earn £544,999 a year.
The broadcaster’s annual report revealed the Director-General’s pay packet swelled by around £15,000 or 2.5% over the past 12 months – despite controversies including those involving Wallace, Bob Vylan and a Hamas documentary.
The Beeb is required to publish the pay and expenses for all senior leaders earning over £178,000 annually “in the BBC’s public services”, according to its report.
Davie – who took up his current role in 2020 – was paid an estimated £529,999 in salary and taxable benefits in 2023-24.
He insisted today: “I simply think I’m in a place where I can work to improve dramatically the BBC and lead it in the right way.”
He added: “We will make mistakes, but I think as a leadership and myself, I’ve been very clear, and I think we have been decisive.
“There’s enormous, massive noise and different opinions about what we should do, but I think we have been clear.
“We are making the right decisions. We’re being transparent on what we do, and I think that’s what counts.
“I would also say that under my tenure I’ve set a very clear stall out in terms of impartiality.”
Asked by The Sun why Davie had received a £15,000 bonus despite significant failures throughout the year, BBC’s chair of the board Dr Samir Shah said: “His pay has been frozen since 2021 and I think that it is reasonable.
“There is little doubt that Tim’s pay is significantly under [the going rate].
“If you look at the figures, trust levels have gone up – if you look at the report, the actual performance of the BBC has been exceptional.”
He added: “I have no problems with awarding him with what is a very small bonus – which still ends up [with] his salary being significantly lower than any of his peers in the sector.”
It comes as departing Match of the Day host Gary Lineker ended his time with the Corporation by topping its pay league for the eighth consecutive year, raking in £1.35million.
He ranked the top highest earner, closely followed by presenter Zoe Ball who takes home an eye-watering £515,000 a year.
Alan Shearer, Greg James and Fiona Bruce were all in the top three earners.
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