LONDON (AP) 鈥 The BBC said Tuesday that longtime 鈥淢asterChef鈥 host John Torode has been sacked for allegedly using racist language on set, a day after the broadcaster confirmed it was severing ties with another of the cooking show's presenters, Gregg Wallace, over separate allegations.
The BBC said the allegation against Torode involved 鈥渁n extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace,鈥 and that the claim was upheld by an independent investigation led by a law firm.
鈥淲e will not tolerate racist language of any kind,鈥 the corporation said. 鈥淛ohn Torode鈥檚 contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.鈥
Torode, 59, said he had 鈥渘o recollection of the incident鈥 and was 鈥渟hocked and saddened鈥 by the allegation.
The Australia-born presenter started hosting 鈥淢asterChef" in 2005 along with Wallace, 60, who was sacked after a report found that dozens of allegations made against him by multiple women were substantiated. It said the majority of the claims related to 鈥渋nappropriate sexual language and humor."
The claims have cast a shadow over the BBC and 鈥淢asterChef," one of the broadcaster's most popular and long-running competition shows. The program has spawned numerous spinoffs and adaptations in other countries.
The latest controversy has again raised questions about the BBC鈥檚 handling of misconduct cases.
Director-general Tim Davie said the broadcaster's leadership would not tolerate behavior that is 鈥渘ot in line with our values鈥 following the report on Wallace. He also said he believed 鈥淢asterChef鈥 can survive and prosper despite the controversies.
鈥淚 think a great program that鈥檚 loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals,鈥 he said Tuesday.
