John Torode's MasterChef replacement has been revealed after his sacking by the BBC, according to reports.
It was confirmed by the BBC and production company Banijay UK last month that the 59-year-old's contract on the popular show would not be renewed.
Australian-born Mr Torode, who married Lisa Faulkner in 2019 at Oxfordshire's Aynhoe Park near Banbury, started presenting MasterChef alongside Gregg Wallace in 2005.
He confirmed he was the subject of an allegation of using racist language, and this was upheld as part of a review carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin into the alleged behaviour of his co-presenter, Mr Wallace.
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A BBC spokesperson said: “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.”
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Following on from the departure, chef and restaurant owner Tom Kerridge is seen as the favourite to replace Mr Torode.
According to reports, the 52-year-old has beaten out strong contenders for the coveted presenting position on the BBC show.
Grace Dent has become Gregg Wallace’s replacement for a new series, but Mr Kerridge's recruitment has had the "brakes on" due to a dispute over salary.
“Tom and Grace are seen as a really safe pair of hands and the BBC thought they were the perfect fit for MasterChef,” a source told The Sun.
“Internally, it’s been known for a long time that they’ll be presenting it together. People at the BBC and staff on MasterChef have all been talking about it."
Yet this proposed one-year deal cannot be formally completed, according to the insider, thanks to an alleged “dispute over Tom’s contract and his pay”.
The source added: “It’s a nightmare for MasterChef and the BBC because filming for the next series is due to start imminently.
“They need to get Tom locked down with Grace. But if he doesn’t get the deal he wants, they’ll be looking for a replacement.”
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