MasterChef’s John Torode has expressed his commitment to the programme and has vowed he “will continue to be a part of it” following Gregg Wallace’s departure amid an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
The Australian-born host, who has been presenting the BBC One cooking show with Wallace since 2005, shared on Instagram that he found the recent reports “truly upsetting” and that the “thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear”.
He stated: “Since last Friday I have been away filming MasterChef overseas. I love my job, and I love MasterChef. I love being part of it and will continue to be part of it.
“During the last few days, I’ve been trying to make the best cookery programme, so being busy making the show and caring for our contestants has allowed me little time to think about anything else, but that has been hard.”
He further added: “But as I hope everyone appreciates there is an investigation underway, which I fully support, so I cannot make any further comment at this stage and I hope that you all understand and respect my silence on the matter moving forward.”
On Tuesday, the BBC announced that two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials, a Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off and a Strictly Festive Extravaganza, have been removed from its festive schedule.
The BBC commented: “As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned.”
They added: “The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them.”
It was also noted that three episodes of BBC Two’s Inside The Factory, which are repeats, will be removed from the schedule, but MasterChef: The Professionals will still be aired. Last week, Banijay UK, the production company behind MasterChef, stated that Wallace would be “stepping away from his role on MasterChef” amid historical allegations of misconduct.
Banijay UK has initiated an “immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate” and confirmed Wallace’s cooperation with the process. On Tuesday night, new claims emerged against Wallace, 60, with BBC News reporting allegations of inappropriate physical contact by two women on separate occasions.
Wallace’s legal representatives have previously refuted any suggestions that he “he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, as reported by BBC News.
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