MasterChef judge Gregg Wallace has stepped down from the BBC cooking show while historical misconduct complaints from 13 people are being externally reviewed.
The 60-year-old is facing allegations of inappropriate sexual comments over a 17-year-period since becoming a judge on MasterChef in 2005.
Former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark alleges that, on two occasions, Wallace told jokes of a ‘sexualised nature’ when she was a contestant on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.
Amid the allegations is a former staff member who claims that the TV host asked her to clean a stain off his trousers after mimicking a sex act, reports The Telegraph.
The woman said the alleged incident took place over a decade ago.
Another person, remaining anonymous, told the outlet that Wallace once walked into the MasterChef studio ‘completely naked except for a sock pulled over his penis’ before doing a ‘silly dance’.
She alleged that Wallace was ‘very touchy feely’ and made ‘disgusting sex-related jokes’.
Meanwhile, the presenter’s lawyers have said that ‘it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature’.
MasterChef judge Gregg Wallace has stepped down from the BBC cooking show while historical misconduct complaints from 13 people are being externally reviewed (BBC)
This comes after Wallace thanked his followers in an Instagram post on Thursday evening (28 November).
“I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reaching out and showing their support,” he said.
“It’s good of you, thank you very much.”
A statement by MasterChef’s production company, Banijay UK, read: “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.
“While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating throughout the process.
The 60-year-old is facing allegations of inappropriate sexual comments over a 17-year-period since becoming a judge on MasterChef in 2005 (BBC)
“Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set.
“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 also 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.”
