In June and July 2025, both Gregg Wallace, 61, and John Torode, 60, were dismissed from the BBC’s MasterChef. Wallace was sacked on June 8 following a nine-month investigation into misconduct allegations by Banijay UK. Torode was removed after an allegation of using an “extremely offensive racist term” was upheld in a report.
Since their departures, the two have responded very differently. Torode accepted the decision gracefully, stating he had no recollection of the incident but respecting the outcome. He revealed in his newsletter, A View From the Fridge, that he had been undergoing professional therapy since late 2025. ITV continued to support him, and he remains co-host of John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen with his wife, Lisa Faulkner.
At his first public appearance after being fired, at the Festival of Food and Drink in Nottinghamshire, Torode told fans: “Life goes on! I’ve had a lot of support, and I’m very grateful.” His composed attitude has helped him maintain his profile as a popular star.
In contrast, Wallace ranted publicly about the BBC’s decision. He took legal action against the corporation, seeking up to £10,000 in damages for alleged failure to provide personal data under UK data protection laws. However, he discontinued the claim before a High Court hearing in February 2026, receiving no payout.
Wallace further sparked controversy by describing historic sexual misconduct allegations as coming from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age.” Downing Street called his comments “misogynistic,” prompting a public apology. He then shifted his career to fan engagement, offering personalised Cameo videos for £40 and fitness coaching at £200 per month. In May 2026, he admitted financial worries, saying, “I used to earn a load of money… and then overnight, it stopped.”
Wallace’s post-sacking behaviour has been viewed as grubby and he is unlikely to return to mainstream TV, while Torode’s polite and hardworking approach has secured his continued showbiz career.
