According to reports, Torode repeated lyrics from Kanye West’s song Gold Digger, which includes the N-word, at a casual gathering about six or seven years ago. He’s also accused of saying the word again in a conversation with a friend who worked on the show. That friend reportedly wasn’t offended, but someone else overheard it and complained.
Richard Osman, a former BBC presenter, said the claims against Torode were strong and serious. Torode, 59, strongly denies using the N-word and says he’s heartbroken by the accusations.
The BBC and production company Banijay investigated and fired Torode this week. People close to him say he only knows the clean version of Gold Digger and would never say such a word.
One source explained that Torode was only recently told about the complaints and was shocked, as he didn’t remember saying anything offensive. He insists he never used the N-word, even accidentally. The second time he was accused, it was by someone who overheard a private conversation — not by the person he was speaking to.
Torode’s friends say he’s very upset and struggling emotionally. His wife Lisa Faulkner and other close friends are supporting him during this time. They also criticized how the BBC handled the situation, saying they found out about his firing only after the BBC announced it publicly.
Torode loved working on MasterChef, and those close to him say losing the job this way is devastating.
Some celebrities have come to his defense. Piers Morgan called the situation a “witch trial,” while Celebrity MasterChef finalist Christine Hamilton called Torode kind and criticized the BBC’s decision as unfair.
Richard Osman, however, stood by the decision and said there was strong proof that Torode used “the worst racial slur.”
