John Torode looks glum in first public outing since Gregg Wallace ‘unfollowed’ him and wife
John Torode has been spotted in public for the first time since he was sacked as a presenter on BBC series MasterChef.
The TV presenter and chef, 60, was removed from the cooking competition alongside his co-host Gregg Wallace, also 60, earlier this month.
Wallace stepped away from MasterChef in November last year as an in-depth investigation was conducted into the historical allegations regarding his behaviour on the show.
It was found that 45 out of 83 allegations were upheld following the investigation, with Wallace saying he was ‘deeply sorry’ for his past actions but insisted the most serious allegations were unproven.
Days later, it emerged that co-host Torode’s contract would not be renewed after nine complaints were lodged against him – among which was a claim that he ‘used the N-word’ on two separate occasions.
Torode’s removal as presenter – which was confirmed on July 14 – came in spite of his insistence that he had no memory of either incident ever taking place.
Now, just over a week later, he has been spotted out in public for the first time since it was revealed that he was also investigated as part of the Silkins report.
He was spotted on Wednesday July 23 on his 60th birthday visiting an organic food store near his home in north London.
The sighting came just as his former co-host Wallace said he has unfollowed both Torode and his wife Lisa Faulkner on social media.
Wallace told The Sun in his first interview since being sacked: ‘We never really did get on that well.
‘We’re two very, very different characters. But we made bloody good telly together for 20 years.’
Accompanying Torode was his family dog, Rory, a schnauzer, with the TV host holding Rory’s lead in one hand and a reusable blue and white shopping bag in the other.
He opted for casual clothes, donning a navy blue t-shirt and matching blue jogging trousers, completing his look with black and white trainers.
In the images taken on Wednesday, Torode appeared not to acknowledge the photographers, choosing instead to carry on with his day as normal.
Despite the revelations of the investigation, the BBC has said that the series of MasterChef filmed before Wallace and Torode’s sackings will air as normal.
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from August 6.
‘MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.’
The spokesperson revealed that it had ‘not been an easy decision in the circumstances’ and acknowledged that not everyone would agree with the final result.
They added: ‘In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters.
‘We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC.’
Calling it the ‘right thing to do’ for the cooks to be ‘properly recognised’, the BBC did qualify that the fate of the celebrity series and two Christmas special episodes featuring Torode was uncertain.
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