John Torode finally breaks silence over MasterChef co-star Gregg Wallace calling allegations 'awful to hear'

ok.co.uk:

John Torode has broken his silence after Gregg Wallace, 60, stepped down from his MasterChef role after an investigation was launched by the BBC show's production company into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

John, 59, who has presented the cooking show alongside Gregg since 2005, said in a statement on Instagram that he found the recent reports “truly upsetting” and the “thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear”.

Speaking out, John said: “Since last Friday I have been away filming MasterChef overseas. I love my job, and I love MasterChef.

I love being part of it and will continue to be part of it. “During the last few days, I’ve been trying to make the best cookery programme, so being busy making the show and caring for our contestants has allowed me little time to think about anything else, but that has been hard.” He added: “But as I hope everyone appreciates there is an investigation underway, which I fully support, so I cannot make any further comment at this stage and I hope that you all understand and respect my silence on the matter moving forward.” The BBC has announced that two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials, a Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off and a Strictly Festive Extravaganza, have been pulled from its festive schedule.The BBC said: “As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned.The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them.” Three episodes of BBC Two’s Inside The Factory, which are repeats, have.