ITV has stood by John Torode after he was sacked from MasterChef for “using an extremely offensive racist term”. The celebrity chef made his screen return on Saturday (19 July) days after the allegation against him was substantiated by the BBC and production company Banijay following an investigation into the show.

John Torode has appeared on TV for the first time since being axed from MasterChef. Just days ago, it was confirmed that Torode, who began hosting the BBC cookery programme in 2005, would not have his contract renewed.

John Torode, who has denied using racist language, was reportedly sacked from MasterChef for allegedly directing a racial slur at an employee working on the BBC show