Former Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson said he is ‘worried’ for John Torode after the star was axed from MasterChef over his use of racist language
Jeremy Clarkson shared his concern for John Torode after the MasterChef judge was axed from the programme when his alleged historic racist comment came to light. The MasterChef star was sacked earlier this week after he came forward as the unnamed person in the firm Lewis Silkin’s report, commissioned by Banjiay, into the conduct of John’s co-host Gregg Wallace, following allegations of misconduct.
The upheld complaint about John was “an accusation of highly offensive racist language against”, which John has vehemently denied. John denied the allegation and said in a statement: “I have no recollection of what I’m accused of.” Following the MasterChef fallout, Top Gear star Jeremy took to his column to share his ‘worries’ for the former judge.
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Jeremy reflected on his time on Top Gear, recalling how the BBC programme was seen as ‘the bad boy’ of the channel and was always ‘being carpeted by bosses’ over their behaviour on the show.
“Ha. It now turns out that compared to every other show on the Beeb, we were saints,” he wrote for The Sun. “But that said, I am a bit worried about this John Torode chap from MasterChef.
“Because he seems to have been sacked for an offence, even though no one can quite say what the offence was.”
Gregg Wallace was sacked from MasterChef before John, after 45 out of 83 claims against him, including “unwanted physical contact”, “being in a state of undress”, bullying and inappropriate jokes, were upheld.
Not long after, John followed him out of the door over an allegation of using “an extremely offensive racist term”, which he denies any knowledge of.
It was reported that he used the N-word at a season filming wrap party in 2019 while singing along to Gold Digger by Kanye West.
But BBC News say the claim actually relates to the previous year when he allegedly used the same word on set following the end of filming, and it was directed at a member of staff.
The Australian star, 59, continues to insist he has “no recollection” of the “offensive” comment he was accused of making, despite lawyers Lewis Silkin upholding the complaint. He said any racist language is “wholly unacceptable”.
Nine allegations were made against Torode between 2012 and 2019. Investigators classed two as not substantiated and six as having insufficient evidence. They include other allegations of abusive language towards junior production staff and sexual language.
On Tuesday evening, John said in a statement: “Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay, I am seeing and reading I’ve been ‘sacked’ from MasterChef. I repeat that I have no recollection of what I’m accused of. The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong.”
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