Food critic and presenter Grace Dent has publicly shown her support for her former MasterChef co-host John Torode, following the airing of the Celebrity Masterchef final on Friday evening. This marks her first public comment since Torode's controversial departure from the long-running BBC cooking show earlier this year.
A Sweet Social Media Send-Off
Taking to social media, Dent, 52, posted a carousel of affectionate pictures featuring herself with the 60-year-old chef. The images captured the pair's evident camaraderie, with one showing Dent in a green maxi dress and red lipstick alongside a beaming Torode in a white shirt-jacket and jeans. Another pictured her in a mustard yellow dress, her arm wrapped around his shoulders. The photos were a visual testament to their on-screen partnership.
Accompanying the images was a warm caption from Dent. 'And that’s a wrap. Celebrity Masterchef over and out,' she wrote. 'No spoilers for a few hours. Thank you to all you beautiful hardworking contestants. And my brilliant sidekick. Love you all. ❤️' Torode swiftly replied in the comments, writing: 'And b****y love you too Grace ❤️'.
Fan Outpouring and the Shadow of Departure
The post prompted an immediate and emotional response from fans of the show, who lamented the end of the duo's partnership. Comments flooded in, praising their 'outstanding chemistry' and calling them a 'completely brilliant combination.' Many expressed sadness that the pairing would not be seen again, with one fan noting it was 'such a shame we won’t see that again.'
This fan sentiment is directly linked to Torode's exit. In July, the BBC confirmed it would not be renewing John Torode's contract after an independent investigation substantiated an allegation that he had used an 'extremely offensive racist term' in the workplace. The investigation was part of a wider report into conduct on the show, which also led to the dismissal of co-presenter Gregg Wallace.
While Torode stated he had 'absolutely no recollection' of the incident and did 'not believe that it happened,' the BBC stated it 'will not tolerate racist language of any kind.' The broadcaster said it instructed the show's producers, Banijay UK, that action must be taken following the upheld finding.
The End of an Era for MasterChef
Dent's tribute and the subsequent fan reactions highlight the significant shift for the MasterChef franchise. Torode had been a fixture on the show for nearly two decades, and his partnership with Dent, who joined more recently, was widely praised. Her post serves as a poignant, personal epilogue to his tenure, focusing on their professional bond and the conclusion of the latest series amidst the backdrop of his controversial dismissal.
The future presenting line-up for the main MasterChef series remains uncertain, marking the end of a defining chapter for one of the UK's most beloved culinary programmes.
