MasterChef's John Torode breaks silence after Gregg Wallace fiery rant and BBC exit

John Torode has posted on social media following his former MasterChef co-host's shock official exit from the BBC. The 59-year-old presented the cookery show for 19 years alongside Gregg Wallace, 60, before the dad-of-two stepped down in 2023 officially citing the desire to spend more time with his family and focus on other projects.

However, that was before an investigation into his behaviour on the long-runnning series was launched by an independant legal team on behalf of the show's production company.

On Tuesday (July 8), the TV presenter was sacked from the culinary show MasterChef following the result of the probe into alleged misconduct, the BBC claimed. Initially 13 people accused him of making inappropriate sexual comments, but now there have been around 50 more complaints from people who say they encountered him across a range of shows and settings.

The majority say he made inappropriate sexual comments, while 11 women accused him of inappropriate sexual behaviour, such as groping and touching, but Wallace denies all of the claims.

In the wake of the shock result, Gregg's former co-presenter took to social media to share a post by Seaham Food Festival, which takes place on 2nd and 3rd August, promoting the event.

Not referencing anything to do with the investigation or Wallace, the video showed the British-Australian chef cooking a steak in his kitchen. Written over the top: "Tuning into season 10 of John and Lisa's Kitchen and Home? Don't miss the chance to see John Torode on our cookery theatre stage!"

John has yet to comment on the result of the recent investigation, however, following the initial allegations made in 2024, he wrote on Instagram: "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."

He continued: "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.

"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."

Following Tuesday's reports, Wallace admitted to using inappropriate language but claimed to have been cleared of "the most serious and sensational accusations made against me." He also said he has since been diagnosed with autism which he claims was discussed across "countless seasons of MasterChef" and was given no protection.

The TV presenter repeatedly attacked the BBC in a furious Instagram post, insisting: "I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience. I was tried by the media and hung out to dry well before the facts were established. The full story of this incredibly injustice must be told and it is very much a matter of public interest.

"I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that, I apologise without reservation. But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks."

The inquiry into the allegations against him, which was conducted by an independent firm on behalf of MasterChef's production company Banijay, is expected to release a statement imminently.