John Torode was fired from MasterChef for allegedly using the N-word twice while singing along to a Kanye West song at after-work drinks.
The Australian chef, 59, was dropped from the BBC cooking competition after it was alleged that he used an “extremely offensive racist term” in the workplace in 2018.
Reports have now claimed he used the racist slur while singing West’s hit, Gold Digger, during a drinks gathering with colleagues after filming.
Torode used the word again while chatting to a friend on the MasterChef's production team, who didn't take offence, according to The Sun.
The person who raised the complaint is thought to have “overheard the conversation”.
The production staffer allegedly defended Torode and said he only used the racial slur as an “example” and “apologised afterwards”.
An insider said: “John is adamant he would never have used the N-word and only knows the radio version of the song which says, ‘Now I ain’t sayin’ she a gold digger, but she ain’t messin’ with no broke, broke.’
“The clean version of the song is the only one he knows. The person who raised the complaint didn’t say anything at the time. So John only found out a few weeks ago that this issue had been raised.
“This has hit him like a ton of bricks as he does not recall it.”
The Standard has contacted Torode’s representative and the BBC for comment.
Torode’s contract with the BBC was not renewed after an allegation of using racist language was upheld in a review into the behaviour of his co-host Gregg Wallace.
The report, commissioned by MasterChef production company Banijay UK and led by law firm Lewis Silkin, found 45 out of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated, alongside two standalone allegations made against other people, including one for using racist language.
Torode said he had “no recollection of the incident” and was “shocked and saddened” by the allegation.
“I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened,” he said on Instagram.
“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.”
He also revealed he found out about his firing by reading about it the press.
“Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay - I am seeing and reading that I’ve been ‘sacked’ from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I’m accused of,” the chef wrote.
“The inquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong.
“I’d hoped that I’d have some say in my exit from a show I’ve worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few days seem to have prevented that.”
Torode said Celebrity MasterChef and two Christmas specials which he recently filmed “will be my last”. It is not clear if the BBC will air these shows.
He went on: “Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it’s time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken.
Amid the controversy, ITV has revealed it will continue to air Torode’s cooking show with his wife Lisa Faulker, John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen.
