BBC’s MasterChef in Turmoil as John Torode and Gregg Wallace Exit Amid Misconduct Allegations

By M10News | Entertainment | July 17, 2025

The long-running BBC cooking competition MasterChef is facing a major shakeup following the exit of its two prominent hosts, John Torode and Gregg Wallace, amid serious allegations of misconduct.

Gregg Wallace, 60, was officially dismissed after the findings of the Silkins review, commissioned by production company Banijay UK, upheld 45 complaints against him, including inappropriate physical contact and behaviour that made others uncomfortable on set.

Soon after, co-host John Torode, 59, confirmed he was the subject of a separate allegation involving racist language. Although Torode stated he had “no recollection” of the incident, Banijay UK decided not to renew his contract, effectively removing him from the show.

The controversy surrounding Torode escalated after Richard Osman, speaking on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, claimed Torode had used “the worst racial slur there is.” Osman added that investigators had found credible evidence to support the allegation.

“I think they found that to be substantively true,” Osman said. “He [Torode] said he couldn’t remember it, but that one was upheld.”

Torode has maintained his denial of the allegation, stating: “I have no recollection of using the language in question and do not believe that it happened.”

Reports also suggest that Banijay and the BBC had approached Torode about stepping away from the show, citing concerns for his mental health in light of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the fate of MasterChef’s upcoming 21st season remains uncertain. The BBC said a final decision on airing the already-filmed episodes has yet to be made.

“At this stage, we are not going to make a final decision on the broadcast of the series that was filmed last year,” a BBC spokesperson said. “We understand this is disappointing for fans and participants, and Banijay UK will consult further with the amateur contestants when the time is right.”

However, The Sun reports that the show may still go to air, quoting a source who said, “The feeling at present is that the show, quite literally, must go on.”

“As a publicly funded body, the BBC has a duty to both provide entertainment as well as fulfil its obligations to cast, crew, contestants, and viewers alike,” the source added. “If they were to cancel these two series, hundreds of people – those who appeared or worked on the shows – would be bitterly disappointed.”

BBC Director General Tim Davie also weighed in during an interview with journalist Katie Razzall, acknowledging the difficult situation.

“Those amateur chefs gave a lot of time to take part in the show. It means a lot. It can be an enormous break if you come through MasterChef,” he said. “I want to just reflect on that with the team and make a decision.”

The allegations and the subsequent fallout mark a significant turning point for the beloved culinary franchise, which has been a mainstay of BBC programming for nearly two decades. The show’s future now hinges on internal deliberations and public response to the developments.

As of now, both Torode and Wallace have exited MasterChef, and the BBC has not named any potential replacements or confirmed plans for future seasons.