TV presenter Gregg Wallace is stepping away from his role on MasterChef after the BBC received allegations from several people, including broadcaster Kirsty Wark, of making inappropriate sexual comments.
BBC News reportedly sent a letter to Wallace’s representatives on Tuesday outlining claims of inappropriate sexual comments by 13 people who worked with him over a 17-year period.
Newsnight presenter Wark, who was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011, claimed Wallace told “sexualised” stories and jokes during filming, the BBC reports.
Wallace’s lawyers have said it is entirely false that he engages in sexually harassing behaviour.
In a post on Instagram on Thursday evening, Wallace thanked his fans for support they have shown him.
“I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reaching out, and showing their support,” he said in the short video. “It’s good of you. Thank you very much.”
Wallace, 60, is “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process”, a statement from the show’s production company Banijay UK to the PA news agency said.
The statement from Banijay UK 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.
“While this review is underway, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully cooperating throughout the process.
“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 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.”
Following the announcement that Wallace was stepping back from MasterChef, Sir Rod Stewart took to social media to accuse him of “humiliating” wife Penny Lancaster when she appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021.
The Telegraph reported on Thursday night that a former production team member had complained to the BBC about an incident more than a decade ago, in which Wallace allegedly walked into the MasterChef studio “completely naked except for [a] sock pulled over his penis” before doing a “silly dance”.
The Standard has contacted representatives for Wallace about the allegations.
Earlier this year, it emerged that Wallace was previously investigated by the BBC after he was accused of “inappropriate sexual comments”.
Wallace responded on social media, saying the story “was investigated promptly when it happened six years ago by the BBC and the outcome of that was that I hadn’t said anything sexual.”
Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Wallace will transmit as planned, with the next episode due to air on Thursday, the PA news agency understands.
Wallace was the original presenter of the BBC show Saturday Kitchen in 2002 and has also featured on Eat Well For Less, Inside The Factory, Turn Back Time, Harvest and Supermarket Secrets.
He was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2022 for his services to food and charity.
Wallace took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 and was partnered with Aliona Vilani.
