What's the opposite of a dynamic duo? Gregg Wallace and John Torode spring to mind. Despite co-hosting MasterChef for the best part of 20 years, they reportedly had a tumultuous relationship behind the kitchen doors.
On screen, they played into their good cop, bad cop rapport – with Wallace feverishly licking his lips whenever a pudding came out the oven and Torode best known for finding faults in an otherwise perfect dish. Now that Wallace has been dismissed from the show after an investigation into mounting misconduct allegations, it seems it was all a lot more complicated.
Wallace's reputation has taken a momentous hit following the news that 45 misconduct allegations against him have been upheld. Despite repeatedly denying any wrongdoing, the former presenter has been warned not dismiss his accusers.
Meanwhile, Torode has faced one standalone allegation of racist language, which was also upheld by the report. There are now questions about whether Torode should resign from his post on the show, but a source said, 'John absolutely loves MasterChef, and doesn't want to lose his job because of an investigation into his co-star.' Wallace has already been replaced by Grace Dent on Celebrity MasterChef.
When did John Torode and Gregg Wallace start working together?
In 2005, MasterChef was relaunched with an updated format and Torode and Wallace were brought in as co-presenters to replace Gary Rhodes. They worked together on the show, including the spin-off Celebrity MasterChef, for 19 years until Wallace was suspended at the end of 2024.
Have Gregg Wallace and John Torode ever been friends?
In an interview with The Mirror in 2017, Torode said, 'It's funny, we've never been friends. We've not been to each other's houses. If we go away to somewhere like South Africa, we do things separately. If we do go out for a drink, I’ll invariably be at one end of a big old table and he’ll be at the other.'
Wallace saw things differently. He once told Lorraine, 'I film with John six or seven months of the year, so we are very close to each other physically, and emotionally we are very close to each other. What’s great about having a partnership is that if one of you is a bit off, a bit down, the other one naturally steps up, so I rely on John a lot.'
In June 2023, Torode weighed in on their friendship again with a different perspective. 'He's a friend, don't get me wrong, but I don't go to the pub with him, we've both not been to each other's houses... we just don't do it,' he elaborated on the Desert Island Dishes podcast. The presenter added they have 'great respect for each other'.
When the misconduct story broke last December, Torode called the allegations 'deeply upsetting'. He said, 'The thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear. Since last Friday I have been away filming MasterChef overseas. I love my job, and I love MasterChef,' he wrote on Instagram. '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.
'But as I hope everyone appreciates there is an investigation under way, 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.'
What has Gregg Wallace been accused of?
Following the seven-month investigation into more than 83 allegations against Wallace, the report has confirmed that 45 of them, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and one incident of unwelcome physical contact, have been substantiated. Another allegation from a staff member who claimed Wallace took his trousers off in front of them was also substantiated.
'For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud,' the former presenter said. 'Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait. None of the serious allegations against me were upheld. I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching, but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended.'
'A late autism diagnosis has helped me understand how I communicate and how I’m perceived,' his statement continued. 'I’m still learning. Banijay [the MasterChef production company] have given me great support, and I thank them. But in the end, the BBC left me exposed to trial by media and the damage it leaves in its wake.'
Is John Torode involved in the Gregg Wallace misconduct allegations?
The report also revealed two other individuals faced two standalone allegations, including one for using racist language. Torode has since come forward to say he was accused of the latter. '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,' he said. '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.'
Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across entertainment, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things pop culture for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow with equal respect).