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 . Thro

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