MasterChef will return to screens tonight for the first time since both John Torode and Gregg Wallace were axed from the cooking show. The TV presenters were both at the heart of a recent scandal and the BBC has confirmed that their contracts on MasterChef have not been renewed.
John Torode will not return to present MasterChef after he was the subject of an allegation of using racist language which has since been upheld as part of a review carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin.
Torode took to Instagram on Monday (June 14) to say he had been the subject of an accusation involving racist language. He had been accused of making the comments back in 2018 or 2019, acknowledging that he apologised immediately afterwards.
However, the celebrity chef stated he had “no recollection” of the incident, adding: “I do not believe that it happened.” A BBC spokesperson has since issued a statement to confirm Mr Torode’s contract will not be renewed.
The broadcaster said: “The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. John Torode’s contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.”
It was previously confirmed Mr Wallace would not be returning to MasterChef following an inquiry into his alleged misconduct, conducted by Lewis Silkin on behalf of production company Banijay.
Gregg Wallace stepped back from his role in Novermber 2024 amid an ongoing investigation into claims of inappropriate behaviour that saw 45 out of 83 allegations made against him upheld.
Despite the recent controversy, a 21st series of MasterChef was filmed last summer, with Torode and Wallace presenting the show before the allegations were announced.
There was much debate surrounding whether the BBC should air the footage, but the broadcaster has recently decided it is the “right thing to do” for the sake of the contestants.
Torode and Wallace will still feature in the show, but the series will take a more in-depth focus on the contestants. The series will air from August 6 and the BBC confirmed their decision in a statement.
It said: “After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August.
“MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.
“This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters.
“We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC. However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.”
BBC director-general Tim Davie said MasterChef had a future with the broadcaster beyond 2028, when its current deal runs out, while presenting the corporation’s 2024/2025 annual report.
When asked about the show’s future, Mr Davie said: “I absolutely think it does (have a future), 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.”
Speculation has been rife about who will replace the two presenters on MasterChef for any future series. Last year, it was confirmed that food critic Grace Dent would takeover from Wallace on the celebrity version of the popular cooking show.
However, the BBC is yet to make a statement on who will replace both Wallace and Torode on the main show. Applications are now open for a 22nd series of MasterChef but details regarding the show’s presenters have not been addressed.
A decision has not yet been decided on whether the celebrity series or Christmas special should air. The BBC intends to confirm the arrangements later in the year.