Masterchef- Wallace and Torode Gone!

Oscar_Madison

If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll be familiar with the latest developments- in the last 24 hours, BBC have announced that in addition to Wallace being sacked, Torode is also sacked as a result of one allegation of the utterance of a racist term by Torode, being upheld- back around 2019 I think. Apparently there were a few other allegations not upheld.

BBC obviously want to start afresh with brand new presenters - Torode and Wallace were a double act in the main so they didn’t want any reminders.

Certainly I think Torode’s sacking seems unfair, especially given that he wasn’t provided with any specific dates when this utterance of a racist term occurred -and it was many years ago -and whilst he apologised, he also “doesn’t remember it”- Wallace’s allegations appear in the main, far more serious- but between two wrongs, and the BBC wanting a clean slate, the writing was on the wall.

But now that Torode is gone, let’s see if more “stories” emerge about him- I’m not sure they will though.

For me, Wallace has become very annoying on TV - but the allegations, especially around stripping off on more than one occasion in front of people are certainly not good - whilst he didn’t use his recent diagnosis of autism as an excuse- it felt like it was a convenient diagnosis to try and persuade others that he too was vulnerable - I’m afraid that doesn’t wash with me.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14909247/How-John-Torode-got-cut-24-hours-Star-went-loveable-MasterChef-host-chopped-BBC-blindsided-broadcaster-report-used-extremely-offensive-racist-term.html

Penn

Seems to be conficting reports whether Torode was sacked or decided to jump before being pushed. After what happened with Wallace and how the BBC seemed to have numerous chances to try and curb his behaviour, they probably felt like they had to clean house and even one seemingly innocuous slip-up by Torode years ago was enough. Seems very harsh on Torode to have been dragged down with Wallace.

I feel a lot worse for the contestants who did well or won the series which will likely never air now. A lot of them tend to use the show as a catalyst to get employed in a high-end kitchen. All that time, effort, pressure, weeks away from their family, job etc… all wasted now.

Hodors Appletart

whilst he didn’t use his recent diagnosis of autism as an excuse

He absolutely did, or at the very least had stories planted in the press about being "unable to wear pants" due to his autism.

It was a disgusting thing to do. I was diagnised autistic as an adult too, and I also have sensory issues regarding clothes. It didn't make me a sex pest though.

Penn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123640133#Comment_123640133

Exactly. If Wallace's autism was a factor in why he didn't wear underwear, that's fine.

It's not a reason for him to take off his trousers/jeans in the company of other people knowing he had no underwear on, and the fact that he made it far enough in his life and career to get onto numerous television programmes without randomly dropping his trousers (and without even knowing he had autism) means he had enough control over his actions to know he shouldn't undress in front of other people when not appropriate.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123640133#Comment_123640133

I said the same myself but in a different way - he has stated that he’s not “hiding behind” his autism diagnosis - that’s his statement- but as I and you have said, it was more than convenient that such news is only coming out now

Hodors Appletart

He used it as an excuse. Well, his "friends" did, in the Daily Mail. Which tells you everything you need to know about the creep.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123640126#Comment_123640126

Sacked- definitely sacked- it’s news that’s come through over night

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8j1vzngdjpo.amp

2smiggy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123640160#Comment_123640160

They claim you said something, but can't even tell you what year it happened in ? What a shambles the BBC is.

Henry Ford III

I didn't like either of them tbh. Creepy presenters

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123640288#Comment_123640288

Yeah the BBC are clearly covering their own ass and in the absence of any other stories around Torode, have thrown him under the bus.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123640307#Comment_123640307

What was creepy about Torode?

squonk

I like John but I can well see him being a marmite character. He doesn’t deserve this however. Outside of any sex pest allegations, Wallace was becoming a major PITH to watch and should have been sidelined years ago on that alone but his being sacked is a fair cop. Now the BBC should have the canines to show the latest series with both presenters with even a disclaimer at the beginning but it’s only fair to the contestants.

Torode is doing well outside of MC. He does several travel and food shows. He and Lisa are a likeable pair so I’m sure there are plenty of places eager to snap him and her up now he’s released from MC. On the other hand, hopefully we’ve seen the end of Wallace. An incredibly annoying and silly on air persona.

2smiggy

I also liked Torode. Himself and the wife had a nice cookery program on saturday mornings on the BBC. I never seen anything from him to suggest he was anything but nice. If the BBC don't even know the year of the single allegation, are they not opening themselves up to an expensive pay day for Torode ?

Perhaps John's mistake was apologising , thou he did say he had no idea what he was apologising for !!

Quantum Erasure

What is he supposed to have said, will we ever find out?

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641030#Comment_123641030

I think it’s ITV he has that show with his wife? Anyway yeah I agree - kicked out for something that for me, didn’t even meet the standard of “balance of probability” occurred - and with other accusations “not upheld” he’s clearly being dumped as an inconvenience - I wouldn’t begrudge him a large payout but I imagine his contract will dictate what he’s entitled to

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641030#Comment_123641030

I wonder what the word was he used?
There’s probably only 3-4 words that were likely used and you’d know yourself if these were words that you’d be heard saying - I know I’d never use the “N” word for example - I’d never apologise if it were that term, as simply I never use that term- end of.

I’d use “paddy” but that’s coz I’m Irish 😀- but John did a series about Irish food so I wouldn’t hold that against him as I’d see it more as a term of endearment and familiarity than a racial slur (I think we’re beyond “paddy” having negative connotation these days personally)-

that leaves likely Asian or Indian common racist terms in the main guess - only he knows what he used or could likely have said

Penn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641172#Comment_123641172

From an article on the BBC, it seems the BBC and production company have agreed that his contract will not be renewed. So maybe he was between contracts anyway and they've decided not to renew, rather than sacking him during a contract term.

He might not be entitled to anything other than maybe a claim for reputational damage given the sketchy details of the one upheld claim and whether the severity of it matches the reputational damage incurred, and if he's being scapegoated due to their failures with Wallace.

That said, I wouldn't be surprised if he just walks away. It's not severe enough that other channels or production companies would shut the door on him completely.

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058419747/masterchef-wallace-and-torode-gone

Torode is also sacked as a result of one allegation of the utterance of a racist term by Torode, being upheld- back around 2019 I think

I wonder was this alleged racist utterance shown on TV or not, in which case surely the editor would be partly responsible?

According to Sky News, he hasn't been sacked per se but his contract won't be renewed. He will still be in the Christmas specials.

John Torode responds to MasterChef sacking | Ents & Arts News | Sky News

Penn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641199#Comment_123641199

No, the comment was apparently during drinks after filming at some point. Not filmed or recorded.

2smiggy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641194#Comment_123641194

Not making any excuses, but the Australians can maybe say things that might upset those not used to them. When I was in Australia 20 years ago, the front page of the Herald Sun newspaper in Melbourne had a front page headline of 'Aussies hammer the Pakís' or something very similar, after a cricket match.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641199#Comment_123641199

BBC clearly use the word “sacked” so we know how they feel about the whole situation 😀

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641195#Comment_123641195

The BBC headline I posted earlier said “sacked” so only going by that - maybe it’s more nuanced than that - anyway, ITV apparently standing by him …..for now

Penn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641472#Comment_123641472

Yeah I wasn't sure due to Torode's statement that he was reading that he'd been sacked but hadn't been heard directly from the BBC or production company, and then pretty much saying he was going to be moving on from the show, enjoyed his time etc.

It's probably somewhat similar to what happened with Jeremy Clarkson (obviously what both of them did are very different issues). When Clarkson punched the producer, that was towards the end of the last series he was under contract for, and while negotiations for his next contract were still on-going. The BBC then couldn't be seen to be giving Clarkson a big new contract after he punched the producer, so they opted to not renew the contract instead and so Clarkson was gone.

Likewise if Torode is currently between contracts, they may have decided not to renew his contract, rather than "sack" him. But media are probably going with "sacking" because it's more dramatic and it is effectively a sacking if it's most likely his contract would have been renewed if not for this.

squonk

I’ve a feeling he’ll walk away myself. It sounds like tge BBC aren’t renewing his contract but instead of being up front and saying that, they’ve decided to allege he had an off colour remark that they can’t quite pin down and he hasn’t a clue about. This coukd be any of us really. The vast majority of people aren’t raciest and wouldn’t use racial slurs on a regular daily basis but in a casual setting over a few drinks you might say something risqué. That doesn’t make it right but looking at it in context you’d hope to receive the benefit of the doubt. Certainly losing your job over it would be extreme. Arguing this will only keep the story alive. The bbc won’t look good but there’ll be no winner either so best to let it die and focus on other work. The real concern is whether it’s a show stopper for further BBC work in the future. It’s a bad call by the BBC though. They could have simply not renewed his contract and focused the narrative around a fresh start for MC. Why they didn’t do that I don’t know but it just looks like they’re covering themselves after they dropped the ball on Wallace.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641577#Comment_123641577

In fairness, I’m not “expecting” any further Torode stories - maybe if he didn’t get on with a few people, then maybe there’s some “gossip” and “tittle tattle” incoming- but really, it’s a sh1te way to leave such a great show and I think he was wronged - and maybe that’s how the public will ultimately see it- the BBC have a habit of doing nothing one day and smashing a nut with a sledge hammer the next

Penn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641644#Comment_123641644

I think there might have been investigations into a few other instances, but this one was the only one upheld. Which probably suggests how minor and flimsy the other complaints might have been. They were probably only really looked at with any real scrutiny because of what happened with Wallace.

There's definitely a huge gulf between what both of them have been accused of and which things were upheld. Very unfair that Torode now largely suffering the same consequences, though he's more likely to continue working on other projects, whereas it'll be much harder for Wallace to make any sort of comeback.

Seth Brundle

whereas it'll be much harder for Wallace to make any sort of comeback

Do GB News do food shows?

Penn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641770#Comment_123641770

I had a line in about that and decided to take it out 😁

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641770#Comment_123641770

Fox wouldn’t have a problem 😀

2smiggy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641770#Comment_123641770

they do now !! just have to pick up a few more washed up sex pests, conspiracy theorists or racists. There seems to be an abundance of them. Not sure what the standard of contestants will be like to be honest. There is only so much you can do with waffles or fish fingers.

Penn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641823#Comment_123641823

Just lots of gammon.