John Torode has broken his silence just hours after he was axed from MasterChef after almost 20 years presenting the BBC cooking show. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday (July 15), he wrote: "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 what I am meant to have said something wrong.
"I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exut from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few days seem to have prevented that. Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future.
"Celebrity MasterChef, which I recently filmed with Grace Dent along with two fantastic Christmas specials will be my last. 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 afa as I now focus on the many other exciting prokects that I have been working towards. My tummy will be grateful for the rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been. Life is everchanging and ever moving & sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. Thank you for the many years of MasterChef."
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