Many MasterChef viewers were left shocked after the BBC confirmed TV star John Torode’s had been axed from the cooking show. This came just days after his co-host, Gregg Wallace, was also dropped from the programme. Torode was axed after allegations emerged of him using racial language “around 2018 and 2019,” which came up during an eight-month investigation into Wallace’s misconduct complaints.

As a result of the probe, 45 out of 83 complaints of bad behaviour against Wallace were upheld, including a historical complaint that an unnamed person used a racial phrase. However, hours later Torode identified himself as the person in question and claimed he had “absolutely no recollection” of the incident. Many have taken to social media to defend the Australian native, including former BBC Newsnight correspondent Lewis Goodall.

Taking to social media with a screenshot of the broadcaster’s top stories, he wrote: “I am loath to criticise my former BBC colleagues and I’m aware they weren’t in on the story.

“But the idea of a TV presenter losing his job being the top story on the website as opposed to Parliament being kept in the dark for two years about the Afghan data leak is risible.” Quoting the article which read, "It plunges the BBC cooking show into deeper crisis", Lewis added: "I mean, honestly, solipsism much?”

Addressing Torode’s axing, a BBC spokesperson said in a statement: “John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him.

“This allegation – which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace- was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm, Lewis Silkin. John Torode denies the allegation.

“He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment.

“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.”

Prior to being fired, the MasterChef star opened up about the allegation in a lengthy Instagram post and stated: “For the sake of transparency, I can confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion.”

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.”

"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,” he concluded.