BBC star leading the race to replace John Torode after MasterChef racism row

A popular BBC star has emerged as the front runner to replace John Torodeon MasterChef, according to reports. In bombshell news, John, who has hosted the show for nearly 20 years, confirmed yesterday he is the person alleged to have used racist language after an investigation into the behaviour of his former co-star, Gregg Wallace.

Gregg, 60, who has also presented MasterChef since it started in 2005, has now been sacked from the show after an inquiry for production company, Banijay, revealed that 45 out of 83 accusations againstthe father of three were corroborated. The report also brought to light two separate claims implicating others, with one involving racist remarks.

READ MORE: John Torode confirms he's subject of racism allegation in wake of Gregg Wallace report

Aussie star John, 59, has reportedly been asked to step down from his long-running role on the show after an historic accusation of racism, which he has no memory of and denies ever happened.

With the show's future firmly up in the air, food critic Grace Dent has already led the celebrity version of the show and is a favourite to present the amateur version too. However, Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt is also being lined up.

It's believed he has already landed the job fronting MasterChef: The Professionals.

A TV insider told The Sun: “Both Grace and Matt are well thought of at the Beeb and the one thing they want in the wake of the show’s recent crisis is familiarity and safety.

“They’re also conscious that having a male and female pairing is a welcome break from it being fronted by two blokes.”

Matt was coy about presenting MasterChef back in March when Gregg has stepped down from the role. When asked about hosting the show with John, speaking to Muddy Stilettos, he said: “Well, there’s always rumours, but it would be a great gig for sure!”

It's been reported that the BBC and production company Banijay asked John to resign and cite mental issues as the reason last week - which he reportedly refused to do. The Mirror has contacted the BBC and representatives for Torode for comment on this claim.

On Instagram, the chef, who is married to actress, Lisa Faulkner, disclosed he is the accused individual regarding the alleged racist remark, but professed "no recollection of the incident" and expressed being "shocked and saddened".

His Instagram statement read: "Following publication of the Executive Summary of the investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld. For the sake of transparency, I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion.

"The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.

"I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. 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."

The BBC has contacted Matt Tebbutt's rep for comment on this story.

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