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BBC Sacks a Second 'MasterChef' Host over Claim He Used Racist Language

This photo shows a BBC sign outside the entrance to the headquarters of the publicly funded media organization in London, July 19, 2017. (AP)
This photo shows a BBC sign outside the entrance to the headquarters of the publicly funded media organization in London, July 19, 2017. (AP)
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BBC Sacks a Second 'MasterChef' Host over Claim He Used Racist Language

This photo shows a BBC sign outside the entrance to the headquarters of the publicly funded media organization in London, July 19, 2017. (AP)
This photo shows a BBC sign outside the entrance to the headquarters of the publicly funded media organization in London, July 19, 2017. (AP)

The BBC said Tuesday that longtime “MasterChef” host John Torode has been sacked for allegedly using racist language on set, a day after the broadcaster confirmed it was severing ties with another of the cooking show's presenters, Gregg Wallace, over separate allegations.

The BBC said the allegation against Torode involved “an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace,” and that the claim was upheld by an independent investigation led by a law firm.

“We will not tolerate racist language of any kind,” the corporation said. “John Torode’s contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.”

Torode, 59, said he had “no recollection of the incident” and was “shocked and saddened” by the allegation.

The Australia-born presenter started hosting “MasterChef" in 2005 along with Wallace, 60, who was sacked after a report found that dozens of allegations made against him by multiple women were substantiated. It said the majority of the claims related to “inappropriate sexual language and humor."

The claims have cast a shadow over the BBC and “MasterChef," one of the broadcaster's most popular and long-running competition shows. The program has spawned numerous spinoffs and adaptations in other countries.

The latest controversy has again raised questions about the BBC’s handling of misconduct cases.

Director-general Tim Davie said the broadcaster's leadership would not tolerate behavior that is “not in line with our values” following the report on Wallace. He also said he believed “MasterChef” can survive and prosper despite the controversies.

“I think a great program that’s loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals,” he said Tuesday.

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Tomorrowland Music Festival Opens after its Main Stage was Destroyed by Huge Fire

The burned main stage is seen at the Tomorrowland music festival in Boom, Belgium, Friday, July 18, 2025, two days after a huge fire destroyed the stage on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
The burned main stage is seen at the Tomorrowland music festival in Boom, Belgium, Friday, July 18, 2025, two days after a huge fire destroyed the stage on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
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Tomorrowland Music Festival Opens after its Main Stage was Destroyed by Huge Fire

The burned main stage is seen at the Tomorrowland music festival in Boom, Belgium, Friday, July 18, 2025, two days after a huge fire destroyed the stage on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
The burned main stage is seen at the Tomorrowland music festival in Boom, Belgium, Friday, July 18, 2025, two days after a huge fire destroyed the stage on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Fans roared in excitement and organizers sighed with relief as the Tomorrowland music festival kicked off Friday — just two days after a massive fire engulfed the main stage and threw one of Europe's biggest summer concert events into doubt.

Workers labored around the clock to clear out the debris from the elaborate backdrop that was consumed in Wednesday's fire.

Shouting ‘’We made it!'', the festival's opening performers, Australian electronic music group Nervo, were able to take to the main stage Friday after a last-minute scramble and slight delay. Some charred frames were still visible behind them.

No one was hurt in the fire, organizers said. The causes are being investigated.
Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world attend Tomorrowland's annual multi-day festival outside the Belgian town of Boom.

Some 38,000 people were camping at the festival site Friday, Tomorrowland spokesperson Debby Wilmsen said.

’’Maybe there are some few people that say, OK, we would like to have a refund, but it’s only like a very small percentage because most of them are still coming to the festival,” she told AP.

“It is all about unity, and I think with a good vibe and a positive energy that our festival-goers give to each other and the music we offer, I think they will still have a good time,″ she said. ’’We really tried our best.″

Australian fans Zak Hiscock and Brooke Antoniou — who traveled half the world to see the famed festival as part of a summer holiday in Europe — described hearing about the fire.

“We were sitting having dinner when we actually heard the news of the stage burning down. We were very devastated and shattered, quite upset because we travelled a long way,'' Hiscock said.

Ukrainian visitor Oleksandr Beshkynskyi shared their joy that the festival went ahead as planned.

‘’It’s not just about the one DJ or two DJs you’re looking to see, but about all the mood and about the dream being alive," Beshkynskyi said.