BBC statement

In a damning statement, the Corporation said: "John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language. This allegation — which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace — was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by law firm Lewis Silkin. John Torode denies the allegation. 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 will not be renewed."

In an extraordinary twist, sources revealed the Australian chef's agent was given just 11 minutes' notice before the bombshell announcement went public.

A source said: "John's agent received a call 11 minutes before the statements went out and hadn't had a chance to call him. He read about it on the BBC News website. Obviously he's heartbroken. He feels he's been made a scapegoat off the back of the Gregg Wallace report."

Planned to quit

Another source told The Sun the TV favourite had planned to quit at the end of this week anyway.

Taking to Instagram, a defiant Torode posted: "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. I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else."

The explosive report into the behaviour of MasterChef co-host Gregg Wallace, 60, upheld a staggering 45 of 83 complaints spanning from 2005 to 2024, leading to his own dramatic downfall.

Mental health issues

Torode was cited in the damning report — but not named — over a racist remark allegedly made during a private conversation.

We revealed yesterday that BBC bosses had demanded Torode resign at the weekend and claim he had mental health issues. He refused to do so.