Celebrity chef John Torode has opened up about undergoing therapy to manage the profound grief and shock of his sudden dismissal from the BBC's MasterChef, a role he held for two decades.
The Shocking Exit After Two Decades
John Torode, 60, was removed from his position as presenter of MasterChef five months ago. The BBC's decision came after it upheld a complaint concerning an allegation of racism. The corporation stated that Torode had used an "extremely offensive racist term" during production, an accusation the chef firmly denies and says he has no memory of.
In a heartfelt post on his online newsletter, A View From The Fridge, Torode described the sacking as "an unexpected and brutal life change". His departure followed that of his co-host, 61-year-old Gregg Wallace, who left the show earlier this year amid separate complaints about his behaviour.
A Journey Through Grief and Honesty
Torode has detailed the emotional turmoil of the past few months, admitting to extensive soul-searching. He wrote that therapy has allowed him to move past the need to "be brave" and instead be authentically real about his feelings.
"Fear is the instinct that keeps us alive, but should grief and fear meet each other I wonder how much damage it can do when we decide to shut it away," he reflected in a poignant online message dated November 30.
The father-of-four confessed he initially struggled to vocalise his thoughts on the scandal but is now finding his voice. "What is becoming easier is being able to talk and to vocalise how I feel as I come to terms with the past five months and the impact it has had," Torode shared. He emphasised his post was not a search for sympathy but an exercise in raw honesty.
Looking Forward Amid the Upheaval
Despite the professional and personal upheaval, Torode expressed gratitude for his "incredible life" and acknowledged that "things can change". He has maintained a presence on television, with his final series of Celebrity MasterChef, co-hosted with Grace Dent, having just begun airing.
Furthermore, he is set to return to ITV1 this month to host John and Lisa’s Christmas Kitchen with his wife, Lisa Faulkner. Torode, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, has also made a work trip to Qatar recently and continues his long-standing guest appearances on ITV's This Morning, a role he has held since 1996.
In his newsletter, he thanked readers for their support, stating, "Each newsletter, I get a little braver." His candid revelations offer a rare glimpse into the personal cost of a very public fall from grace at one of the BBC's most beloved culinary institutions.
