Former MasterChef judge John Torode has been dismissed from the BBC programme after an investigation found he said – what Richard Osman has described as – “probably the worst racial slur there is”.

The allegation, which dates back to 2018 or 2019, was substantiated following an inquiry that also examined claims against co-host Gregg Wallace.

Speaking on his podcast The Rest is Entertainment, Osman stated: “You know, he used, I think, probably the worst racial slur there is.

“And they found that to be substantively true. They found evidence that they were happy with – that that was true.”

The BBC and production company Banijay announced earlier this week that Torode’s contract would not be renewed following the finding that he had used an “extremely offensive racist term” during post-filming drinks.

Torode has strongly denied the allegations, stating he has “absolutely no recollection” of using racial language and does “not believe that it happened”.

In a statement, he confirmed he was the individual accused of using racial language “some time in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation”, adding that the person he was allegedly speaking with “did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards”.

The Australian-born chef claimed he first learned of his dismissal through media reports, writing: “Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I’ve been ‘sacked’ from MasterChef.”

He maintained his position, stating: “I repeat that I have no recollection of what I’m accused of.”

Osman, who previously served as creative director at Banijay’s Endemol Shine, disputed Torode’s account of events on his podcast.

He claimed the presenter was offered an alternative to dismissal: “They said to him – whether this was the BBC or Banijay – they said to him, ‘We will accept if you want to take a year off, you have to do a mandatory training course to understand and accept that this is not something we particularly want in our workplace’.”

According to Osman, Torode refused this offer, saying: “Of course I’m not going to do that. I didn’t do this in the first place anyway so why would I ever do this?”

The podcast host also challenged Torode’s claim about learning of his dismissal through the media, stating: “My understanding is that’s not true – the first thing he knew about it was when he was told it.”

Torode is reportedly preparing legal action against the BBC for unfair dismissal, according to a source who spoke to The Mirror.

“He wants to pursue them for unfair dismissal. He’s telling people there is no proof of his supposed comment.

“It was not in a work capacity; it was just hearsay. John is determined to clear his name,” the source revealed.

The BBC has not commented on allegations that they asked Torode to resign, citing mental health issues.

However, a source told the Daily Star: “The BBC and Banijay spoke to his reps before the announcement on Tuesday. The BBC never suggested he resign, nor raised mental health.”

Osman noted on his podcast that “there’s all sorts of things that weren’t upheld because they couldn’t say for certain they believed it happened.”