John Torode has appeared on TV for the first time since being axed from MasterChef.
Just days ago, it was confirmed that Torode, who began hosting the BBC cookery programme in 2005, would not have his contract renewed.
He had been accused of using racist language, a complaint upheld as part of a wider investigation commissioned by production company Banijay into allegations of sexual harassment by co-host Gregg Wallace.
Torode is said to have made the remarks in 2018 or 2019, but maintains that he has ‘no recollection of the incident’.
Today, the TV chef was back on screens alongside his wife, Lisa Faulkner.
Torode, 59, and Faulkner, 53, married in 2019, and together they host John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen.
The Saturday morning show has been on air for nine series, and it sees Torode and Faulkner invite guests to prepare simple dishes and share tips.
And while there was undeniably an elephant in the room during the latest episode, neither Torode nor Faulkner addressed recent events.
Instead, opening their first show following Torode’s racism scandal, his partner said: ‘Hi there, we are so happy to see you in our Weekend Kitchen.’
John added: ‘We’re gonna make your day even happier.
‘How do you like the sound of stunning but simple recipes with just homemade ingredients?’
As viewers watched along at home, reactions to ITV’s decision to air Weekend Kitchen amid the drama were split, with @naked_auditor writing on X that the channel has ‘shown an astonishing lack of judgement’.
But speaking ahead of the episode going out at 11:40am today, an ITV insider claimed that it was still business as usual for them.
‘I think we will keep going with the show,’ said the source. ‘We don’t know the details of the BBC issue and have never had any trouble with him ourselves.’
The source added: ‘We obviously have our own complaints handling procedure and a code of conduct for talent at ITV.
‘There have been no issues raised with John, so the series is set to continue to air.’
On Monday night, it was confirmed that Torode was the subject of an allegation of using racist language that was upheld as part of a review carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin.
It is currently unknown what Torode said that led to the Beeb letting him go, although there have been reports of him using the N-word previously.
Meanwhile, BBC director-general Tim Davie had earlier condemned the term that the Australian-born presenter was alleged to have used this time.
Details of the circumstances leading up to Torode’s sacking revealed that the cook had nine complaints against him in total, including racist language, abusive language to junior production staff, and sexual language.
Taking to his Instagram Story earlier in the week, Torode reiterated that he could not remember using a racist term, claiming to have learned from reading media reports about his ‘sacking’.
But he also acknowledged that ‘it’s time to pass the cutlery to someone else’.
On Tuesday night, he penned: ‘Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I’ve been ‘sacked’ from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I’m accused of.
‘The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong.
‘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 last few days seem to have prevented that [sic]’.
Torode added that Celebrity MasterChef and two Christmas specials, which he recently filmed, ‘will be [his] last’. It remains to be seen whether they will make it to air.
He went on: ‘Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it’s time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have.
‘I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards. My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been.’
During an interview with BBC News earlier on Tuesday, Davie said he was not directly involved with the matter but was told of the recommendation to not renew Torode’s contract and was ‘happy that the team were taking action’.
Asked exactly what Torode said, Davie replied: ‘I’m not going to give you the exact term, because I think, frankly, it was a serious racist term, which does not get to be acceptable in any way, shape, or form.’
As for Wallace, the 63-year-old also no longer has a future with the BBC.
On Monday morning, the investigation findings were published, showing that 45 out of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated. This included one allegation of ‘unwelcome physical contact.’
Wallace posted a statement after the probe’s discoveries were released, saying he was ‘deeply sorry for any distress caused’, stating that ‘none of the serious allegations against [him] were upheld’.
MasterChef viewers still await an official announcement on who will replace the original hosts, who have had the gig for 20 years.
With speculation rife, it has been said that Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt, 51, and Great British Menu host Andi Oliver, 62, are the frontrunners.
A timeline of allegations against Gregg Wallace
2005 to 2011
A report by law firm Lewis Silkin found there were 27 substantiated claims against Wallace relating to alleged incidents during this period, most of which related to sexually explicit comments.
One allegation of unwanted physical contact during this timeframe was also substantiated.
The report found that when concerns were reported to the production company during this period, there was a failure to retain records of any action taken.
2012 to 2018
The report found that 17 upheld allegations relate to this period.
In 2015, the production company behind MasterChef investigated an allegation about Wallace’s behaviour, but he was not made aware of the complaint.
The following year, the production company merged with Endemol, and more formal policies, regular training, and anonymous reporting lines were introduced.
The BBC intervened in response to a complaint in 2017, following which Wallace was warned of the need to change his behaviour.
2019 to 2024
One substantiated complaint about an inappropriate comment fell into this period.
November 2024
Wallace faced allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a range of shows over 17 years, BBC News reported.
The TV star stepped away from presenting MasterChef while Banijay, the show’s production company, announced that it was conducting an external review to ‘fully and impartially investigate’ the claims.
BBC News said allegations include the presenter ‘talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to “give her a fashion show”, and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans’.
The charity Ambitious About Autism said it had dropped Wallace as an ambassador, citing the ‘recent allegations’.
Banijay UK confirmed it appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into Wallace’s alleged behaviour.
December 2024
Wallace said in a video posted to Instagram that accusations about him making sexual comments towards staff and guests have come from ‘middle-class women of a certain age’.
Downing Street said Wallace’s response to the accusations being made against him was ‘inappropriate and misogynistic’.
A spokesperson added that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had held talks with BBC bosses in the wake of the Wallace row.
Following the backlash, Wallace apologised for any ‘offence’ or ‘upset’ he caused with his remarks and said he would ‘take some time out’.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said politicians should be ready to put in place ‘mechanisms’ that would instil ‘confidence’ that women will be taken seriously in reports of inappropriate behaviour after a Labour MP asked him about ‘women of a certain age’, reflecting comments Wallace apologised for.
MasterChef co-presenter John Torode said in a social media post that he ‘loves being part of’ the programme and ‘will continue to be a part of it’.
April 2025
Wallace told the Daily Mail he ‘thought about suicide all the time’ after allegations of misconduct were made against him.
July 8-9, 2025
Wallace was sacked as MasterChef presenter following the inquiry into his alleged misconduct by production company Banijay.
BBC News said it had not seen the final review from Banijay but understood the presenter had been sacked.
In an Instagram post, the former greengrocer claimed he had been cleared of the ‘most serious and sensational accusations’ ahead of the published review.
He also said he recognised that some of his humour and language were inappropriate ‘at times’ and apologised for this.
July 14, 2025
The report by law firm Lewis Silkin for Banijay is published.
It says that a total of 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Wallace during his time on the show were substantiated, including one allegation of ‘unwelcome physical contact’.
It concludes that the ‘majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour’, adding that ‘a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated’.
In the wake of the report’s findings, Banijay say that ‘Wallace’s return to MasterChef (is) untenable’.
