The BBC and production company Banijay UK said on Tuesday they will not renew John Torode’s contract as presenter of “MasterChef” after an independent investigation upheld a complaint that the 59-year-old chef used “an extremely offensive racist term” at work in 2018. Torode, who has fronted the cooking competition since 2005, denies the allegation and says he has no recollection of the incident. The finding forms part of a broader review of the show’s culture conducted by law firm Lewis Silkin. The same probe last week substantiated 45 of 83 allegations against Torode’s former co-host Gregg Wallace, including inappropriate sexual language, prompting Wallace’s dismissal. BBC Director-General Tim Davie said the broadcaster “will not tolerate racist language of any kind” and insisted the programme can continue without its long-time hosts. He added that a decision has yet to be taken on whether to air already-recorded episodes featuring Torode and Wallace. Torode’s exit ends nearly two decades at the helm of one of the BBC’s most successful global franchises. Celebrity “MasterChef” and two Christmas specials he recently filmed are expected to be his final appearances on the series.