Piers Morgan's furious six-word reply as John Torode is axed by MasterChef

Piers Morgan white shirt blue blazer on red carpet

Piers Morgan has hit out at the BBC following Torode's axe (Image: 2024 Jason Mendez/Getty Images)

TV star Piers Morgan has labelled the dismissal of John Torode from MasterChef as a 'witch trial'. The BBC and Banijay UK, the production company behind MasterChef, confirmed on Tuesday evening that Torode's contract will not be renewed for the show. This comes just days after Gregg Wallace, 60, was dismissed from the BBC series following an investigation into his behaviour. Torode, 59, has also been informed that his contract will not be renewed, following upheld allegations of racism against him. This marks the end of nearly two decades of Torode being a prominent figure on the show.

Following the announcement of his departure, presenter Morgan took to social media to criticise the decision to remove the TV chef. Alongside a blurred image of Torode, the former Good Morning Britain host queried: "Have I got this right?", reports the Mirror. "The BBC has fired @JohnTorode1 because he allegedly made a racially insensitive comment in a bar EIGHT YEARS ago, that he immediately apologised for, and now doesn't remember ever saying? Salem wants its witch trials back."

Gregg Wallace and John Torode together

Gregg Wallace and John Torode worked together on MasterChef (Image: BBC/Shine TV)

On Tuesday, the BBC issued a statement confirming Torode's removal from the show, stating: "John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him. This allegation – which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace - was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm, Lewis Silkin.

"John Torode denies the allegation. He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment.

"The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. 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. John Torode's contract on MasterChef will not be renewed."

However, Torode claimed neither Banijay nor the BBC had informed him about his contract termination. "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 enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong," he said.

"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. Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future. Celebrity MasterChef, which I recently filmed with Grace Dent along with two fantastic Christmas specials will be my last.

"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. I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards.

"My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been. Life is everchanging and ever moving and sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. Thank you for the many years of MasterChef."