EXCLUSIVE: Franc Roddam, the British film and TV impresario who owns MasterChef, has said that he is pained by the presenter misconduct scandal that has engulfed the UK series.
Roddam, who rarely talks to the press, spoke with Deadline after the BBC and MasterChef producer Banijay declined to renew the contracts of Gregg Wallace and John Torode after credible complaints of inappropriate behavior were made about both presenters.
In a brief comment about the events of recent days, Roddam said: “I’m saddened by it because it’s a wonderful show and it’s brought tremendous pleasure to lots of people.”
Deadline understands that Roddam, who also directed cult British indie movie Quadrophenia, was kept in the loop on the Lewis Silkin investigation into MasterChef. Through his company Ziji Productions, he licenses the format to Banijay, which produced the show in 35 countries around the world last year, generating revenues of €288M ($334M).
The majority of the substantiated allegations against Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humor, but he denies more serious claims. Torode was found to have once used “highly offensive racist language,” but said he did not recall the incident.
The story has dominated the British media this week, with national newspapers splashing on the scandal as it has unfolded since Lewis Silkin published a summary of its findings on Monday. Both Wallace and Torode are said to be considering legal action.
Wallace believes he has been the victim of disability discrimination after recently being diagnosed with autism. He has engaged Dan Morrison, a partner at Grosvenor Law, to fight his corner.
Roddam said it was “too early” to discuss the future of MasterChef as producers reflect on what has taken place. Asked if the show can survive, he answered emphatically: “Oh, absolutely.”
Roddam, 79, created Loyd Grossman-fronted MasterChef in 1990 and was closely involved in rebooting the show in 2005, when Wallace and Torode were installed as presenters. During his remarkable career, he also created beloved UK television drama Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and directed K2.
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