London: John Torode, the Australian celebrity chef who has fronted MasterChef UK on British television for almost 20 years, said he has found the scandal engulfing his longtime co-host Gregg Wallace “truly upsetting”.
Wallace, 60, announced last week that he was stepping back from the BBC show amid an investigation into his conduct after allegations he made sexualised jokes and other inappropriate remarks towards more than a dozen women across a range of television shows over a 17-year period.
Masterchef UK long-time co-hosts: Australian John Torode, left, and Gregg Wallace.
A number of further allegations have since emerged, including inappropriate touching, with several women saying they reported concerns to television bosses years ago, but Wallace was allowed to remain on screen. His lawyers have strongly denied the allegations he had engaged in any behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.
Torode, who moved as a young chef to London, had been pressured to address the complaints about his BBC colleague after several women said he had been present when his co-host made them feel uncomfortable.
As one of the BBC’s longest-running and most well-loved shows, MasterChef has remained a jewel in the broadcaster’s crown since its genesis in 1990. The global format is a lucrative asset for the broadcaster, generating income through advertising, international licensing, merchandise, and spin-offs.
John Torode on a visit to Sydney.
The BBC said on Tuesday it was removing two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials from the schedule following the allegations about Wallace. However, the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals continues to air. The historical misconduct complaints are being externally reviewed by the show’s producers, Banijay UK.
In an Instagram post Torode, 59, said he had been filming abroad but would continue to be part of the program.
“The thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear, and I have found the recent press reports truly upsetting,” Torode, who was born in Melbourne and raised in Maitland, NSW, wrote.
