Mr Wallace is seeking damages from the BBC and one of its subsidiaries, court documents show.

The former TV host was sacked in July after an investigation into historical allegations of misconduct upheld multiple accusations against him.

In a post on Instagram, Torode confirmed he was the person alleged to have used racist language but said he had ‘no recollection of the incident’.

It comes after it was announced Wallace was to step away from the BBC cooking show while historical misconduct complaints are externally reviewed.

The TV presenter’s lawyers said it is ‘entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature’.

The TV star has been fronting BBC’s MasterChef since 2005.