Toyah Willcox has weighed in on John Torode and Gregg Wallace’s MasterChef sacking drama, after previously working with them both on the show. 

Australian-born chef John, 59, lost his job on the BBC show after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have ‘absolutely no recollection’ of.

Meanwhile, Gregg, 60, was sacked after more than 40 complaints against him were upheld following a BBC investigation.

Now, Toyah has opened up about her time on Celebrity MasterChef and her interactions with the recently axed Gregg and John.

Speaking on the Spooning With Mark Wogan podcast, she said: ‘I did MasterChef with both Gregg and John and they were divine. They were lovely to be with.

‘I’ve not seen what they’re supposed to have done, but it doesn’t mean they didn’t do it. I just don’t know, and I’m very protective towards women, especially having done Strictly a year after Amanda Abbington had what happened to her. I want to support Amanda and I also want to work, so…’

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Toyah Willcox has weighed in on John Torode and Gregg Wallace ‘s MasterChef sacking drama, after previously working with them both on the show

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Australian-born chef John, 59, lost his job on the BBC show after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have ‘absolutely no recollection’ of

Mark, the son of Sir Terry Wogan, replied: ‘Isn’t that funny though that you still feel that by openly supporting women you threaten your ability to continue working? Well that’s what I’m picking up from what you just said.’

Amanda’s last 18 months have been dominated by the fallout over her time with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice on Strictly Come Dancing, which saw her leave the show after just six weeks, citing ‘personal reasons’.

The actress then accused him of ‘unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour’ in July last year. Giovanni rejected the claims immediately and a BBC investigation ruled in September that her claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not upheld.

Complaints of verbal bullying and harassment meant the corporation issued an apology but the dancer said he was ‘pleased the report has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour’.

Toyah supported Amanda throughout, and added: ‘When I did Strictly, I was very vocal about my support for Amanda and that she needed to be seen. And I don’t know if that went against me when I was on the show, but you can’t whitewash and put things like that behind you.

‘They need to be addressed, and the World keeps on moving. So I’m really part of the World keeps on moving movement, but I just make sure what I see is not history repeating itself.’

Mark responded: ‘You came to fame at a time similar to [my] Dad, you know 70s and 80s both of you household names.

‘With what’s gone on in the papers this week, I got a phone call this week from an old mate of mine who just goes, “Was your dad the only person at the BBC who isn’t a weirdo?” And you kind of go, you know, “Yeah, maybe!”‘

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Toyah has opened up about her time on Celebrity MasterChef and her interactions with the recently axed Gregg and John

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Mark said: ‘With what’s gone on in the papers this week, I got a phone call this week from an old mate of mine who just goes, “Was your dad the only person at the BBC who isn’t a weirdo?” And you kind of go, you know, “Yeah, maybe!”‘ (Terry Wogan pictured with John and Gregg)

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Toyah supported Amanda throughout, and added: ‘When I did Strictly, I was very vocal about my support for Amanda and that she needed to be seen’ (Amanda pictured with Giovanni Pernice)

Competing in what was the first series of the re-booted programme, Toyah made it all the way to the quarter-finals before fans of the show saw Matt Dawson walking away as winner of the competition after seeing off Roger Black and Hardeep Singh Kohli in the final.

It comes after new reports have claimed the BBC sacked John Torode after he allegedly ‘used the N-word twice while singing along to a Kanye West song’.

The MasterChef host was reportedly singing the rapper’s hit Gold Digger when he was allegedly ‘caught using the racist term during after work drinks six or seven years ago’.

The Sun claims Torode used the word again whilst chatting to a friend on the MasterChef production team, who didn’t take offence.

The Australian-born chef has insisted ‘he had absolutely no recollection’ of using a racist term while drinking with colleagues seven years ago.

The person who raised the complaint is understood to have ‘overheard the conversation’.

The production pal allegedly backed Torode and said he only used the racial slur as an ‘example’ and ‘apologised afterwards’.

MailOnline has contacted BBC and Torode’s representatives for comment.

A witness told investigators he had apologised immediately, ‘was mortified’ and ‘didn’t use the term as a slur’ in 2018.

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Reports have claimed the BBC sacked John Torode after he allegedly ‘used the N-word twice while singing along to a Kanye West song’

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The MasterChef host was reportedly singing the rapper’s hit Gold Digger when he was allegedly ‘caught using the racist term during after work drinks six or seven years ago’

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The Australian-born chef has insisted ‘he had absolutely no recollection’ of using a racist term while drinking with colleagues seven years ago

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Torode and Wallace will not be returning to MasterChef

The BBC said that Torode’s contract would not be renewed after a report found he had used an ‘extremely offensive racist term’ during an evening out after filming the show.

The corporation has refused to say what the racist term was – as has Torode, who has claimed he did ‘not believe that it happened’.

But it was described as the ‘worst racial slur there is’ by Richard Osman, who added of the investigation: ‘They found that to be substantively true. They found evidence that they were happy with – that that was true’.

The Times claimed that two people ‘close to the report’ alleged that Torode had used the N-word. There has also been feverish speculation online for days that this was the slur he allegedly used.

Torode has left MasterChef after an allegation of using racist language was upheld against him. He faced nine allegations of poor behaviour between 2012 and 2019. Investigators said of the other eight that two could not be substantiated and there was insufficient evidence in the remaining six.

One insider told MailOnline on Thursday that there was ‘relief’ at MasterChef HQ that Torode is gone, saying he was ‘horrible’ to work with at times.

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John Torode, pictured with his wife Lisa Faulkner, has said ‘he had absolutely no recollection’ of the incident and did ‘not believe that it happened’

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The upcoming series – which have already been filmed – feature former I’m A Celeb star and restaurant critic Grace Dent, who replaced Gregg to co-host with John

A third source claimed they had found him to be a ‘very rude and patronising man’.

Torode was sacked after being accused of saying the ‘worst racial slur there is’

Torode said this week, after his sacking, in a lengthy statement posted to Instagram: ‘Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I’ve been “sacked” from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I’m accused of.’

It was also claimed the BBC and Banijay had asked Torode to leave MasterChef citing mental health problems.

The BBC declined to comment on the claims.

But an insider said: ‘The BBC and Banijay spoke to his reps before the announcement on Tuesday. The BBC never suggested he resign nor raised mental health.