John Torode pulls out of event at the last minute after Masterchef axing

Durham County Council has confirmed that John Torode has withdrawn from the Seaham Food Festival.

The celebrity chef and former MasterChef host was scheduled to be the star attraction at the council-run event on August 2 and 3.

John was expected to dazzle festival-goers in the cookery theatre with his culinary expertise. Despite his absence, Dean Edwards, Chris Baber, Nelly Ghaffar and other renowned chefs will still join over 120 traders in the seaside town for the weekend's festivities.

READ MORE: Kate Beckinsale's heartbreak as beloved mum Judy Loe dies after stage 4 cancer battle

READ MORE: Jo Bacon dead: Love Actually and EastEnders star dies as tributes flood in

A representative from Durham County Council stated: "We appreciate this has been a difficult time for John and, as a result, he has decided to take some time out. He will, therefore, not be appearing at this year's Seaham Food Festival."

This announcement follows the BBC and MasterChef production company Banijay's decision not to renew Torode's contract amid allegations of him using "highly offensive racist language" back in 2018.

John has refuted the claim, asserting that he does not remember such an incident occurring.

The allegation surfaced during an independent probe conducted by the legal firm Lewis Silkin, which had previously substantiated 45 complaints against John's co-presenter Gregg Wallace, reports Chronicle Live.

John took to Instagram on Tuesday to address rumours of his departure from MasterChef, claiming the BBC and Banijay had left him in the dark.

The celebrity chef expressed his confusion, posting: "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. The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong."

He expressed his disappointment at not having a say in his exit from the show he'd been part of since its 2005 relaunch, noting that recent events seemed to have taken that choice away.

The TV star reflected on his time and future, saying: "I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few days seem to have prevented that. Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future."

Confirming his departure, he announced: "Celebrity MasterChef, which I recently filmed with Grace Dent along with two fantastic Christmas specials will be my last. Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else."

He encouraged his successor to cherish the role as much as he did and revealed his plans to watch the show's progress while pursuing other ventures. Torode added: "For whoever takes over, love it as I have. I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards."

Acknowledging the impact of his long tenure on the show, he joked about his stomach needing a break after two decades. He concluded with heartfelt thanks for the years spent on 'MasterChef': "My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been. Life is everchanging and ever moving and sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere.

"Thank you for the many years of MasterChef. JOHN TORODE."