BBC top boss directly responds to John Torode sacking and MasterChef future in tense grilling

BBC Director-General Tim Davie has openly responded to questions asked about not only Gregg Wallace, but his former MasterChef co-presenter John Torode today.

Torode, 59, confirmed he is the subject of an allegation of using racist language, which came out during a review into former co-host Wallace's conduct. The inquiry by law firm Lewis Silkin for production company Banijay revealed that 45 out of 83 accusations against Wallace were corroborated, including two separate claims implicating others, with one involving racist remarks.

It's reported that the BBC and production company Banijay asked Torode to resign and cite mental issues as the reason last week - which he reportedly refused to do. The Mirror has contacted the BBC and representative for Torode for comment on this claim.

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On Instagram, Torode disclosed he is the accused individual but professed "no recollection of the incident" and expressed being "shocked and saddened".

His Instagram statement read: "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 in 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."

Following Torode's statement, BBC Director General Tim Davies has addressed the scandal today. When asked if Torode must follow Gregg Wallace out the door and leave MasterChef, Davie said: "In terms of the report that was done it had very clear learnings.

"I'm sure you'll have seen the summary that had all the allegations against Greg Wallace. It also had two allegations upheld on two individuals. I think people appreciate that I cannot now talk about individuals as we go through the process and Banijay lead the process to take appropriate action on what they found through those upheld complaints."

"What I would say is there has to be follow up. So the BBC, in some ways, were quite simple on this, which is, if someone has found to not live 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.

"These aren't BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken. That's the first thing I'd say. But I can't comment, and I hope you appreciate this on individual conversations."

And when asked if the future of Masterchef is safe with or without Torode, Davie said: "I absolutely think it does. I think a great program that's well 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."

It comes after former MasterChef host Wallace previously said he "wouldn't go quietly" after he was sacked from the BBC show by its production company Banijay.

On Monday Wallace responded to the publication of the MasterChef review, saying that he “challenged” the groping claim against him that was upheld, but lost.

The presenter insisted that “none of the serious allegations against me were upheld” even though the review found him guilty of the “unwanted touching” plus three counts of being in “a state of undress”.

And holding the BBC responsible for not doing enough to help him to change, he warned that there would be more problems down the line. “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."

In a statement to the PA news agency, Wallace said: “For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud. Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait. None of the serious allegations against me were upheld. I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended.

“I’m relieved that the Banijay report fully recognises that my behaviour changed profoundly in 2018. Some of my humour and language missed the mark. 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. I also accept that more could have been done, by others and by myself, to address concerns earlier.

“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. For a working-class man with a direct manner, modern broadcasting has become a dangerous place. 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.”

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