The BBC in a statement said an “extremely offensive racist term” had been used in the workplace, prompting Torode’s contract to not be renewed.

D: Gregg Wallace’s co-host John Torode has been fired from BBC’s “MasterChef” following an investigation that substantiated an allegation he used racist language in the workplace, marking the second major dismissal to emerge from the comprehensive probe into the show’s culture.

The Australian-born celebrity chef has denied the allegation, which the BBC says was substantiated in an investigation into his co-host Greg Wallace's behaviour on set.