John Torode has been seen in public for the first time since he lost his role on BBC’s MasterChef. (Image: Getty)

John Torode has been seen out in public for the very first time since he was let go from MasterChef in July, following an allegation that he had used an “extremely racist term”. The 60-year-old presenter was spotted enjoying a day out alongside his wife, Lisa Faulkner, 53, at a food festival in Nottinghamshire as they mingled alongside other food lovers, seemingly without a care in the world. The chef has been taking some “time out” after he hit the headlines alongside his similarly scandal-embroiled co-star Gregg Wallace. The duo who fronted MasterChef for over two decades were both let go following differing allegations of misconduct. Faulkner told MailOnline in an interview: ‘MasterChef will not be the same without John. But he’s doing OK.”

John Torode and his wife Lisa Faulkner attended a food festival over the weekend. (Image: Getty)

John shook off his work woes as he gave two live demonstrations at the show’s packed 500-seat cookery theatre at the Festival of Food and Drink in Thoresby Hall. The former TV star shared with the crowd before his first demo: “Life goes on! I’ve had a lot of support and I’m very grateful.”

John mingled with onlookers on the second day of the two-day 12th annual event, which featured several other well-known chefs, including Simon Rimmer, Rosemary Shrager, Chris Baber and Chris Bavin, who also acted as weekend host.

The star honoured his work commitment after sharing an Instagram statement that said he had “no recollection” of what he is accused of, and had hoped to have some say in his exit from the BBC. The controversy over MasterChef started last year, when claims of inappropriate sexual language were made against Gregg.

The former greengrocer has always denied the more than 40 allegations made against him, which were upheld as part of an inquiry into his conduct.

Speaking on allegations that were supposedly made in a social setting in 2018 or 2019, John said: “I do not believe that it happened.” He said that the allegation included that the “person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended maliciously and that I apologised immediately afterwards”.

He added: “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.”