Gregg Wallace’s ‘MasterChef’ Co-Host John Torode Reveals Himself To Be Person Accused Of Using Racist Language

John Torode, Gregg Wallace’s MasterChef co-presenter, has revealed himself to be the person accused of using racist language in the report published today into Wallace’s behavior.

Taking to Instagram, Torode said “for the sake of transparency I can confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion.”

Torode, who along with Wallace has presented MasterChef for 20 years, said the incident is alleged to have happened in 2018 or 2019, but he has “absolutely no recollection 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,” he added. “I’m shocked and saddened by the allegations as I would never wish to cause anyone offence.”

Torode came forward around 12 hours after the independent report published into Wallace’s behavior, which substantiated 45 of the 83 allegations made against Wallace, whose position hosting MasterChef was described as “untenable” by the boss of MasterChef production company Banijay UK. Wallace has apologized but reiterated his view that “none of the serious allegations against me were upheld.”

Aside from Wallace, the report said 10 standalone allegations were made against other people over the period 2012 to 2019, with two of these having been substantiated, one of whom Torode is now revealing to be himself. The other was over a complaint of “swearing” and Banijay has said it is dealing with both.

In its own statement, the BBC said it “takes these findings very seriously and we have asked Banijay UK to take action to address these issues, which is underway. This will be completed as a priority.”

Torode struck up a close relationship with Wallace over their two decades presenting MasterChef. When allegations against Wallace first emerged late last year, Torode said he found them “truly upsetting.”