MasterChef judge John Torode calls BBC 'cult-like' in final post

John Torode paid tribute to Grace Dent in a Substack post and referred to the BBC as 'cult-like' after he and Gregg Wallace were removed from MasterChef in July 2025.

John Torode published a Substack post on January 4, 2026, in which he praised Grace Dent and included critical language about the BBC. Torode and Gregg Wallace were removed from MasterChef in July 2025 after allegations of misconduct. The BBC announced in September 2025 that Grace Dent and Anna Haugh would serve as judges for the upcoming series. Torode and Dent had both appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2025. Known details: - On January 4, 2026, Torode wrote that Grace Dent was a "strong extraordinary woman" and said she "stands up for all that she believes in and supports." - In the same post he wrote that she was "never scared of doing the right thing or worried that the cult might too ostracize her," language reported alongside references to the BBC as "cult-like." - Torode and Gregg Wallace were removed from MasterChef in July 2025 after allegations of misconduct; Torode denied wrongdoing and was reported to have been accused of using a racist term in a social situation. - The BBC named Grace Dent and Anna Haugh as judges for the programme in September 2025; Torode and Wallace had been judges on the revived MasterChef since 2005. Summary: The post serves as a public, personal remark from Torode about his former colleague and the broadcaster that replaced him. Undetermined at this time.