ITV boss explains why John Torode show is still on air despite BBC MasterChef axe

ITV's chief has stood by the choice to keep John Torode's weekend programme broadcasting during the MasterChefcontroversy.

Torode and co-host Gregg Wallace have both been dropped from their BBC programme following an investigation into behaviour, which exposed that Torode was alleged to have used a racist slur.

Nevertheless, ITV carried on airing the series that Torode fronts alongside spouse Lisa Faulkner - John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen.

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Deadline reported that Kevin Lygo, ITV's Managing Director, Media and Entertainment, was questioned about it during the Edinburgh TV Festival and explained that he "felt it was a bit much for us to jump on the bandwagon and just deny these shows to go out".

"We didn't know the details," he said, reports Wales Online.

"We asked the producers if they had heard of any incidences and they said no."

Lygo also made it clear that Weekend Kitchen was pre-recorded.

The MasterChef controversy began to emerge last year, when allegations of misconduct against Wallace started to circulate.

There was an investigation into conduct on the programme and last month it was disclosed that 45 out of 83 accusations against the TV personality had been substantiated, with the bulk concerning inappropriate sexual language and humour.

He issued an apology, saying he was "deeply sorry for any distress caused" and had "never set out to harm or humiliate", and insisted in an interview with The Sun that he was "not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher".

It also emerged that Torode was alleged to have used a racist term in 2018, but he has stated that he doesn't condone the use of such language and can't remember the incident.

He posted on Instagram: "I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. However, I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence."

Wallace also defended Torode in his interview with The Sun, asserting: "I've known John for 30 years and he is not a racist."

The 21st series of MasterChef, which was filmed last year and features both Wallace and Torode, continues to be broadcast.

MasterChef is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.