ITV boss explains why John Torode show is still on air after BBC MasterChef axe
John Torode and Gregg Wallace were both axed from MasterChef after an investigation into their behaviour - but ITV continued to air the show that Torode fronts alongside his wife Lisa Faulkner
ITV's chief has backed the decision to continue broadcasting John Torode's weekend show amid the MasterChef scandal. Torode and co-presenter Gregg Wallace have both been axed from their BBC programme following an inquiry into conduct, which revealed that Torode was allegedly accused of using a racist slur.
Despite this, ITV continued screening the series that Torode presents alongside wife Lisa Faulkner - John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen.
Deadline reported that Kevin Lygo, ITV's Managing Director, Media and Entertainment, was quizzed about it during the Edinburgh TV Festival and stated that he "felt it was a bit much for us to jump on the bandwagon and just deny these shows to go out".
"We didn't know the details," he said. "We asked the producers if they had heard of any incidences and they said no."
Lygo also clarified that Weekend Kitchen was pre-recorded, reports the Mirror.
The MasterChef scandal began to surface last year, when claims of misconduct against Wallace started to emerge.
There was a probe into behaviour on the show and last month it was revealed that 45 out of 83 allegations against the TV star had been upheld, with the majority relating to inappropriate sexual language and humour.
He issued an apology, saying he was "deeply sorry for any distress caused" and had "never set out to harm or humiliate", and maintained in an interview with The Sun that he was "not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher". Claims then came to light that Torode was accused of using a racist term in 2018, but he has maintained that he doesn't condone such language and has no memory of the incident.
He shared on Instagram: "I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. However, I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment.
"I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence."
In his interview with The Sun, Wallace also stood up for Torode, stating: "I've known John for 30 years and he is not a racist."
The 21st series of MasterChef, which was filmed last year and features both Wallace and Torode, continues to air.
Earlier this month we reported Wallace revealed why he's chosen to stay in the public spotlight after leaving MasterChef behind.
The passionate culinary expert hasn't retreated from public attention since his exit, actively promoting alternative projects on social media. Wallace has been advertising his health and fitness mentoring services.
Discussing his decision to remain in the public eye, he said: "And I could have hidden away. I didn't have to be on here. But I still want to earn a living and I decided with my family if I was gonna earn a living then I had to stay public."