ITV has revealed that John Torode will feature in its festive daytime schedule – just months following his departure from MasterChef.
The television personality, 60, was dismissed from MasterChef in July after historical allegations emerged regarding the use of racist language – although he can be currently seen in the pre-recorded new series of Celebrity MasterChef.
This development surfaced during an inquiry into his co-presenter Gregg Wallace’s conduct on set, who was subsequently removed from the programme just days earlier.
After the report’s publication, Torode acknowledged he was the individual accused of using racist language but refuted the claims, insisting he had no recollection of such an incident.
Despite his departure from the BBC programme, ITV has confirmed his return for a Christmas edition of his culinary show alongside wife Lisa Faulkner – John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen, reports the Mirror.
In announcing its Christmas daytime roster, ITV disclosed that the pair will deliver “a feast of festive inspiration” in John and Lisa’s Christmas Kitchen.
This special represents Torode’s first fresh venture since his MasterChef dismissal, having continued appearing on television in previously recorded episodes of the BBC show and John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen.
ITV declared in August that it would persist with airing John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen despite the surrounding controversy.
At the Edinburgh TV Festival, ITV’s Management Director of Media and Entertainment, Kevin Lygo, remarked that he “felt it was a bit much for us to jump on the bandwagon and just deny these shows to go out”. “We asked the producers if they had heard of any incidences and they said no,” he revealed.
Torode is currently featuring in the latest series of Celebrity MasterChef, alongside Grace Dent – who stepped in to fill the shoes of Gregg Wallace after his dismissal from the programme. This marks the final series of MasterChef that was filmed with Torode as a presenter.
The festive schedule for ITV daytime will also see Loose Women team up with Good Morning Britain, Lorraine and This Morning for the first time ever. The show has promised to deliver “sparkling surprises, celebrity guests, and some true Loose style festive fun” for the special.
Audiences can also look forward to special episodes of James Martin’s Christmas Day, Sara Davies’ Christmas Craft Off, Love Your Christmas with Alan Titchmarsh and James Martin’s Saturday Morning at Christmas.
In addition, Mel Giedroyc will be providing the narration for a special glimpse at Warwick Castle as it morphs into a winter wonderland in A Warwick Christmas Castle.
Kelvin Fletcher and his farming family are returning with a Christmas special of Fletchers’ Family Farm, along with their own crafting special – Fletcher’s Country Workshop.
Celebrity MasterChef is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
