Former MasterChef presenter John Torode was forced to issue an apology to a fan over is rude behaviour just days before his BBC axe. The incident occured online when ITV shared an Instagram post promoting series 10 of John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen, the show he makes with his actress wife and Celebrity MasterChef winner Lisa Faulkner. One person commented about their experience with the 59-year-old Australian chef on the post writing: "Used to love this .... sadly John was so rude when I saw him .... very sad." This prompted John to reply: "I am really sorry. Never meant to be rude. Please accept my apologies."

Other fans were quick to defend him following the interaction. "I met him once in a cruise terminal, and he was utterly charming," one wrote. Another interjected: "As a professional, he gets very wrapped up in his work. His frowny, serious face is when he’s concentrating deeply. He is actually a good laugh and very polite."

Torode was abruptly been sacked as a MasterChef presenter on Tuesday July 15 after it emerged an allegation he used an "extremely offensive racist term" was upheld in a report.

This comes after an eight-month investigation into his co-host, Gregg Wallace, which upheld 45 out of 83 complaints of bad behaviour and eventually resulted in his axing from the broadcaster.

On Monday, he said he had "no recollection" of the incident, adding: "I do not believe that it happened." A day later it emerged he had been dismissed with Torode claiming he first learnt of the move on social media.

A BBC spokesperson said on Tuesday: "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.John Torode's contract on MasterChef will not be renewed."

Former co-star Wallace was also sacked. He got the chop last week as dozens more people came forward to BBC News with allegations against him. He has always denied the claims.

The controversy over MasterChef started last year, when BBC News first revealed claims of inappropriate sexual language by Wallace - claims he has denied.