Former Celebrity MasterChef contestant Toyah Willcox has reminisced about her stint on the popular culinary programme following the recent departure of judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
The BBC'shit cooking show, which underwent a reboot in the early 2000s, was steered by what became an iconic duo in British TV. Over several weeks, the former chefs scrutinised competitors' culinary creations, gradually eliminating contestants until a champion emerged victorious.
However, the show's future is in jeopardy after a report confirmed 45 complaints against Gregg Wallace,including one for "unwelcome physical contact" and three involving a state of undress.
John Torode faces his own controversy, with one upheld claim of racism, which he has vehemently denied, expressing his shock and sadness over the accusation.
On a lighter note, during an episode of the Spooning with Mark Wogan podcast, Toyah reflected on her experience competing in the celebrity version of MasterChef in 2006. The singer fondly recalled: "I did MasterChef with both Gregg and John and they were divine. They were lovely to be with."
Toyah Willcox showcased her competitive spirit on the first series of the revamped show, reaching the quarter-finals before rugby star Matt Dawson clinched victory, beating Roger Black and Hardeep Singh Kohli in the nail-biting final.
Before her stint on the show, Toyah had already established herself as a music icon in the late 1970s, becoming a key figure in the new wave and post-punk movements. With hits like It's a Mystery, I Want to Be Free, and Thunder in the Mountains under her belt, she also ventured into acting with roles in films such as Jubilee and Quadrophenia, and took to the stage in productions like Calamity Jane.
A BBC spokesperson released a statement saying: "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."
