Jeremy Clarkson has expressed concern for John Torode after the MasterChef star was sacked by the BBC for allegedly using the N-word on set, describing the situation as worrying given the lack of clarity about the offence. The former Top Gear host, who was himself dismissed from the BBC in 2015, addressed Torode’s dismissal in his latest column for The Sun.
Australian-born Torode, 59, lost his job after two decades on MasterChef when an independent investigation upheld a complaint that he had used an “extremely offensive racist term” in 2018. The chef maintains he has “absolutely no recollection” of the incident.
Writing in The Sun, Clarkson drew comparisons with his own BBC experience: “Funny isn’t it how Top Gear was always seen as the bad boy of the BBC. Every week, we’d be in the papers for doing something wrong or saying something inappropriate.
Clarkson’s Concerns
The Grand Tour presenter expressed particular worry about the circumstances of Torode’s dismissal. “That said, I am a bit worried about this John Torode chap from MasterChef,” Clarkson wrote. “Because he seems to have been sacked for an offence, even though no one can quite say what the offence was.”
Clarkson highlighted the vagueness surrounding the allegations, noting Torode had been told that “at a private party seven or eight years ago, he sang a song which someone thought was racist and that as a result, he has to go.”
The columnist questioned key aspects of the case: “Who reported him? Dunno. Was there any context? No one’s saying.”
Conflicting Reports About Incident
Initial reports suggested Torode had used the N-word whilst singing along to Kanye West’s ‘Gold Digger’ at a wrap party in 2019. However, BBC News subsequently reported this was not the incident that led to the upheld complaint.
The substantiated allegation instead related to an incident in 2018, when Torode allegedly used the racial slur on set after filming MasterChef, directed at a member of staff. The person who made the complaint was not the intended recipient but had overheard the conversation.
Sources claim Torode’s production colleague defended him, saying he only used the term as an “example” and apologised immediately afterwards. The BBC investigation could not establish the exact date or year of the alleged incident.
Investigation Findings
The complaint against Torode emerged during a seven-month investigation by law firm Lewis Silkin into his co-presenter Gregg Wallace’s behaviour. Wallace was sacked after 45 of 83 allegations against him were substantiated, including inappropriate sexual language and being undressed.
The report examined allegations against Torode spanning 2012 to 2019. Of nine complaints made against him, only the racist language allegation was upheld. Two others could not be substantiated, whilst there was insufficient evidence for the remaining six.
A BBC spokesperson stated: “The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. We will not tolerate racist language of any kind.”
Torode’s Response
Torode claimed he discovered his dismissal through media reports rather than official channels. Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I’ve been ‘sacked‘ from MasterChef,” he posted on Instagram.
He added: “The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong. I’d hoped that I’d have some say in my exit from a show I’ve worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in the last few days seem to have prevented that.”
The chef said he had “loved every minute” working on MasterChef but acknowledged it was “time to pass the cutlery to someone else.”
Industry Reaction
Clarkson’s comments echo concerns raised by others in the industry. Loose Women’s Jane Moore claimed Torode was being treated “worse than a serial killer” given the lack of specific evidence provided to him.
Some insiders reportedly expressed “relief” at Torode’s departure, with one source telling MailOnline he was “horrible” to work with at times. Another claimed they found him to be a “very rude and patronising man.
ITV has confirmed that Torode’s weekend cooking show with wife Lisa Faulkner will continue to air as planned, whilst the BBC faces decisions about already-filmed episodes of Celebrity MasterChef featuring both Torode and new host Grace Dent.
Future of MasterChef
BBC Director General Tim Davie insisted MasterChef “absolutely” has a future and is “bigger than individuals.” The show has already begun advertising for production staff for its next series starting in August.
However, the departures of both long-serving hosts after two decades present significant challenges for one of the BBC’s most successful formats, which has spawned numerous international versions.
Torode’s sacking marks another controversy for the BBC following high-profile dismissals, including Clarkson’s own departure in 2015 after he punched a Top Gear producer during an altercation over catering.
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Image Credit:
Jeremy Clarkson in 2008 – Photo by Ed Perchick, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
