THE BBC asked John Torode to resign from MasterChef after he was accused of racism and told him to claim he had mental health issues, it was claimed last night.
It comes after the stunned Australian chef was dragged into the Gregg Wallace report.
The BBC asked John Torode to resign from MasterChef[/caption]
Gregg Wallace with co-host John Torode on MasterChef[/caption]
The latest series has been delayed amid the allegations against Gregg Wallace[/caption]
He was cited – but not named – in the damning dossier over an incident dating back over eight years in which he made an allegedly racist remark during a private conversation.
The popular star, who has hosted the BBC1 show since 2005, was informed about the allegation – which did not receive a complaint at the time – which was raised with investigators.
However, in a farcical turn of events, the BBC was unable to specify the time or date of the alleged offence, narrowing it down to “2018 or 2019.”
Shockingly, the BBC and production company Banijay asked John, 59, to resign last week – and claim he had mental health problems. Stunned John refused.
Last night John issued a statement to The Sun confirming he was involved in the report. He told how he intended to cause no offence and apologised immediately after the alleged incident.
He 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 between 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 is understood that this one-off incident was the only issue raised involving John, and nothing else was found in relation to him in the report issued yesterday by lawyers Lewis Silkin.
Last night a source close to added: “John is absolutely devastated to have been pulled into this mess.
“He was at an afterwork drinks after filming when he is alleged to have used an inappropriate racial term, the witness said he apologised instantly, and he was mortified.
“The witness even stated he didn’t use the term as a slur. No-one complained at the time, but it’s been brought up during the inquiry.
“Shockingly he was only made aware of the incident two weeks ago and was only informed on Friday that it would be upheld.
“The BBC called John over the weekend to inform him of the report, and asked him to step back. 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 that he didn’t have any mental health issues. To try and use mental health as a get-out clause seems incredibly low – and is also deeply unfair to those with genuine mental health trauma.
“This was also the first he’d heard about this incident, and no-one could even confirm if the night out happened in 2018 or 19 – it’s an absolute joke and feels like complete hearsay.
“John absolutely loves MasterChef, and doesn’t want to lose his job because of an investigation into his co-star.
“As Gregg has pointed out broadcasting is becoming a dangerous place especially when there is no concrete evidence.
“If the BBC let him go for this, where will it all end? There will soon be no-one left on telly.”
In the report, 45 of 83 complaints about co-star Gregg Wallace’s bad behaviour had been upheld, leading to his sacking last week.
One included unwelcome physical contact and another three of being in a state of undress.
The under-fire host, 60, yesterday apologised, saying he “never set out to harm or humiliate”.
In total, the report says 83 allegations were made against Wallace, with the majority of the substantiated claims relating to inappropriate sexual language and humour, but also culturally insensitive or racist comments.
The inquiry, conducted by an independent law firm, was ordered by Banijay in the wake of a BBC News investigation which first revealed claims of inappropriate sexual comments against Wallace.
Yesterday the Prime Minister said he “welcomed” the BBC cutting ties with Gregg Wallace – and demanded action to end future “abuses of power”.
The PM’s spokesman said he still has “confidence” in the Corporation but that it must take steps to “ensure the public retains trust”.
He said: “In relation to the Greg Wallace report. I think, as we’ve previously said, those allegations were very serious, deeply concerning, and it’s right that a thorough investigation has been conducted.
“We welcome the fact that the BBC severed ties with Greg Wallace, and we’re clear that appropriate steps must be taken to ensure abuses of power are prevented from happening in the future.”
Tory shadow culture secretary Stuart Andrew said: “While the full extent of the issues may not have been known at the time, there were clear missed opportunities by both the production behind MasterChef and the BBC to address concerning behaviour. That is not acceptable.”
A decision has not been made yet about whether the beleaguered corporation will air the new series of MasterChef which was filmed last year.
Monday’s report revealed allegations against Wallace across a 19-year period. It also says that 10 standalone allegations were made against other people, two of which were substantiated.
Both of those substantiated allegations , which did not involve Wallace, relate to inappropriate language, one of swearing and one of racist language. The latter, The Sun can now confirm, relates to Torode.
The report also said that during the course of the investigation, Wallace was diagnosed with autism, writing: “The findings made should be viewed in the context of his neurodiversity.”
Gregg hit back in his statement yesterday, promising there would be “more casualties” as he launched a scathing attack on the BBC.
He said: “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.
“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.
“But 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.
“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.”
After taking on Rottweiler lawyer Dan Morrison, he is now expected to sue the BBC.
The boss of Banijay, Patrick Holland, also apologised to all involved, and said that although the report findings made for what he said was “uncomfortable reading” they had highlighted important failures.
He said they were already addressing them through training, reviewing welfare procedures and would be rolling out an “externally run whistle blowing service” across all of their productions.
What were the main findings of the report?
FORTY-five allegations made against Gregg Wallace during his time on MasterChef, including one of “unwelcome physical contact”, were found to have been substantiated.
An independent report commissioned by production company Banijay assessed 83 allegations against Wallace.
The report substantiated:
– Twelve claims he made inappropriate jokes and innuendo;
– Sixteen reports he made sexually explicit comments;
– Two allegations that he made sexualised comments to or about someone;
– Four complaints that he made culturally insensitive or racist comments;
– Three claims that he was in a state of undress;
– Seven allegations of bullying;
– One allegation of unwanted touching.
The allegations span from 2005 to 2024.
Gregg has been axed from the show following an investigation into his behaviour[/caption]
Gregg will no longer be working for the BBC[/caption]
