Gregg Wallace steps down from MasterChef amid investigation on historical misconduct allegations
Gregg Wallace will not be presenting MasterChef as he is under investigation investigation following complaints of historical misconduct
Gregg Wallace will step away from presenting MasterChef while complaints made to the BBC from individuals about historical allegations of misconduct are investigated.
It comes as the 60-year-old faces allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News which said it sent a letter to the TV star’s representatives earlier this week.
Among the BBC News complainants is former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, who alleged he told jokes of a “sexualised nature” when she was competing on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.
Wark told the outlet that on two occasions Wallace relayed stories and jokes of a “sexualised nature” in front of contestants and crew and that she felt they were “really, really in the wrong place”.
BBC News said it had been told of other allegations, including the presenter “talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to ‘give her a fashion show’, and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans”.
The TV star’s lawyers say “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, BBC News reported.
The Peckham born TV personality is “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process”, a statement from the show’s production company Banijay UK to the PA news agency said.
Wallace took to social media to thank his Instagram followers for "showing their support", stating: “I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reaching out and showing their support.
“It’s good of you, thank you very much.”
Wallace, 60, has presented MasterChef, alongside John Torrode since 2005. Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Wallace will transmit as planned, the PA news agency understands.
The statement said: “This week the BBC received complaints from individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with presenter Gregg Wallace on one of our shows.
“Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate.
“Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.”
The statement added: “If anyone would like to talk to us or raise any issues or concerns, then they can contact speakup@banijayuk.com in confidence.”
A BBC spokesman said: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.
“We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated.
“Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them.”
Before his TV career Wallace was a green grocer and sold fruit and vegetables at Covent Garden market, before opening a restaurant in Putney.
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