ITV Stands by John Torode After BBC Axing, Will Continue “John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen”

ITV are standing by under fire John Torode, despite his BBC axing from MasterChef following an allegation of racism. 

Sources at ITV have told the MailOnline that it will continue to broadcast the tenth series of John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen as scheduled on Saturday. 

The much-loved cookery show, which launched in 2019, features John, 59, and his wife Lisa Faulkner, 59, as they showcase their favourite recipes. 

An ITV source said: ‘There is no change to the ITV schedule and John and Lisa’s Weekends will be broadcast as usual and will continue to air for the next three weeks.’

It means the third episode of the 10th series of the show will be broadcast on ITV1 at 11.40am on Saturday.

There are also plans for the broadcaster to welcome John back later in the year with John & Lisa’s Christmas Kitchen in December. 

ITV are standing by under fire John Torode , despite his BBC axing from MasterChef following an allegation of racism

Sources at ITV have told the MailOnline that it will continue to broadcast the tenth series of John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen as scheduled on Saturday

Torode took to Instagram on Tuesday night after the Beeb said he would no longer be hosting MasterChef

It comes as the Australian chef was dramatically axed from MasterChef – hours after the BBC’s director general refused to back him over an allegation of racism.

The corporation said the host’s contract would not be renewed after a report found he had used an ‘extremely offensive racist term’ during drinks after filming the show.

The complaint against John was revealed in the report into co-presenter Gregg Wallace’s inappropriate behaviour.

Gregg, 60, was sacked after dozens of complaints against him were upheld.

John identified himself on Monday as an unnamed person in the report who was accused of using ‘racist language’.

However, the presenter said ‘he had absolutely no recollection’ of the incident and did ‘not believe that it happened’.

But in a statement yesterday, the BBC said: ‘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.

‘The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously.

‘We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. John Torode’s contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.’

Hours before the announcement, BBC director general Tim Davie had refused to back John and said he expected ‘action to be taken’ over the allegation.

He delivered the remarks as the BBC released its annual report – an occasion overshadowed by controversies for the second year in a row. Last year’s was published amid the fallout over news presenter Huw Edwards who pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children.

The complaint against John was revealed in the report into co-presenter Gregg Wallace’s inappropriate behaviour

BBC director-general Tim Davie on Tuesday spoke out about  the ‘serious racist term’ Torode used (stock photo)

Asked about the Torode racism row, Tim Davie said: ‘The BBC in some ways are quite simple on this – if someone is found to not live up to our values we expect the independent company, Banijay in this case, to take action and report back to us on what they have done.

‘These are not BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken.’

Tim added: ‘I think a great programme that’s loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals.

‘It absolutely can survive and prosper, but we’ve got to make ing drinks sure we’re in the right place in ness terms of the culture of the show.’ 

It had been alleged by a source close to John that he had used an inappropriate racial term during drinks after filming. The witness claimed he had apologised immediately and ‘was mortified’ and he ‘didn’t use the term as a slur’.

No one complained at the time but the incident was brought up during the inquiry into Gregg, they said.

On Monday, John said he had ‘absolutely no recollection’ of the incident and was ‘shocked and saddened’ by the allegation. ‘I would never wish to cause anyone offence,’ he added.

Responding to his sacking, John, who is married to actress and former Celebrity MasterChef contestant Lisa Faulkner, said: ‘I’d hoped that I’d have some say in my exit from a show I’ve worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in the last few says seem to have prevented that.’

He said he ‘had loved every minute’ working on the show but it was ‘time to pass the cutlery to someone else’.

‘Life is everchanging and ever moving and sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere,’ he added.