John Torode has admitted that he had “no concept” about his MasterChef sacking till he examine it as he “hasn’t heard from anybody on the BBC or Banjay”. The cooking present presenter was axed from his internet hosting duties, not far behind his co-star Gregg Wallace, after a report upheld claims that he had made a “severe” racist comment.

In an announcement on Instagram, the 59-year-old celeb chef shared his shock at his exit from the present, as he mentioned: “Though I have not heard from anybody on the BBC or Banijay – I’m seeing and studying that I have been ‘sacked’ from MasterChef and I repeat that I’ve no recollection of what I am accused of. The enquiry couldn’t even state the date or yr of when I’m meant to have mentioned one thing unsuitable. I might hoped that I might have some say in my exit from a present I’ve labored on since its relaunch in 2005, however occasions in previous couple of days appear to have prevented that.”

Torode continued: “Over the previous few months, I’ve been contemplating my life and the form of it now and sooner or later. Celeb MasterChef, which I lately filmed with Grace Dent together with two implausible Christmas specials can be my final.

“Personally, I’ve liked each minute engaged on MasterChef, however it is time to go the cutlery to another person. For whoever takes over, adore it as I’ve.”

He added: “I’ll watch fondly from afar as I now concentrate on the various different thrilling initiatives that I’ve been working in the direction of. My tummy will be glad about a relaxation after 20 years of consuming, however what a pleasure it has been. Life is everchanging and ever shifting & generally private happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. Thanks for the various years of MasterChef.”

It comes as Torode admitted to being the identify behind allegations, which had been uncovered in an investigation into the behaviour of his co-star, Gregg Wallace – who was additionally sacked from MasterChef.

In whole, the report says 83 allegations had been made in opposition to Wallace, with nearly all of the substantiated claims referring to inappropriate sexual language and humour, but additionally culturally insensitive or racist feedback. The file into Wallace’s behaviour additionally upheld a grievance that an unnamed particular person used a racial phrase on one event a number of years in the past – which Torode later admitted was him.

On Monday, Torode admitted: “Following publication of the Govt Abstract of the Investigation into Gregg Wallace whereas engaged on MasterChef, I’m conscious of hypothesis that I’m one of many two different people in opposition to whom an allegation has been upheld.

“For the sake of transparency, I affirm that I’m the person who’s alleged to have used racial language on one event. The allegation is that I did so someday between 2018 or 2019, in a social state of affairs, and that the particular person I used to be talking with didn’t consider that it was supposed in a malicious manner and that I apologised instantly afterwards.”

He added: “I’ve completely no recollection of any of this, and I don’t consider that it occurred. Nevertheless, I wish to be clear that I’ve at all times had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any atmosphere. I’m shocked and saddened by the allegation as I’d by no means want to trigger anybody any offence.”

Confirming his sacking on Tuesday, an announcement from the BBC learn: “John Torode has recognized himself as having an upheld allegation of utilizing racist language in opposition to him. This allegation – which includes an especially offensive racist time period getting used within the workplace- was investigated and substantiated by the impartial investigation led by the regulation agency, Lewis Silkin.

“John Torode denies the allegation. He has acknowledged he has no recollection of the alleged incident and doesn’t consider that it occurred. He additionally says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any atmosphere.

“The BBC takes this upheld discovering extraordinarily severely. We is not going to tolerate racist language of any variety and, as now we have already mentioned, we instructed Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that motion have to be taken. John Torode’s contract on MasterChef is not going to be renewed.”