Gregg Wallace, known for his long-standing role as the host of BBC's MasterChef, is stepping back from his duties amid serious allegations of misconduct. The television personality faces accusations from 13 individuals, including notable figures such as Kirsty Wark, previously of Newsnight, who have claimed he made inappropriate sexual comments during filming.
Known for his enthusiastic presence on the cooking show since 2005, Wallace's departure is marked by allegations spanning 17 years and various productions. According to reports, these complaints include Wallace sharing stories of a sexualized nature and discussing his sex life openly during filming, actions deemed highly inappropriate by many of those involved.
Wark herself has spoken out, recounting incidents where Wallace allegedly told sexually charged stories in front of contestants and crew members during Celebrity MasterChef filming. She expressed discomfort, stating the comments were “really, really in the wrong place.” Such allegations set the stage for the investigation currently underway.
The BBC has confirmed it is taking these complaints seriously. A spokesperson remarked, “We take any issues raised with us seriously and have processes to address them. Any behaviour below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated.” The production company associated with Wallace, Banijay UK, added, “While this review is underway, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role and is committed to fully co-operate throughout the investigation.”
Further accusations reveal troubling patterns of behavior. For example, during filming of his show Big Weekends in 2019, Wallace reportedly asked one of the female crew members about the logistics of her dating women, making her uncomfortable with his line of questioning. This same crew member described other discussions involving explicit subjects such as domination and spanking, labeling them as inappropriate.
One unnamed witness detailed how Wallace allegedly showed her photos of women scantily clad, claiming it was part of his approach to engaging with staff. Another colleague noted he often behaved extravagantly, including taking his shirt off during work settings under the guise of providing “fashion shows,” which left many female crew members feeling awkward and at times alarmed.
The public fallout has also attracted criticism from Steven Rod Stewart, whose wife participated in Celebrity MasterChef. He took to Instagram to call Wallace out, stating, “You humiliated my wife... karma got ya,” indicating the intensity of alumni feelings surrounding Wallace's actions.
Even more troubling, former contestant Ulrika Jonsson shared her own experience, recalling how Wallace made comments during her time on Celebrity MasterChef which left fellow contestants feeling distressed. She described him as unthinking and stated he even made “rape jokes” at the expense of female participants, sparking anger and incredulity among those present during filming.
The scandal prompted not just public condemnation but also significant concern from industry insiders. Critics point to the need for changes within the television industry's culture. Lorraine Heggessey, a former BBC controller, emphasized on BBC Radio 4 the importance of not permitting preferential treatment for high-profile personalities, noting, “Broadcasters must stop treating presenters as if they’re special cases.”
With these allegations surfacing, the industry faces the notable challenge of addressing misconduct claims without letting high-profile figures escape scrutiny.
Wallace has yet to release his own formal statement responding to the allegations, but he did thank fans via social media for their support as the situation unfolded.
Despite the current storm, episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals, which has already been pre-recorded, are set to air as scheduled. The BBC has reiterated its commitment to handling the review with due diligence and supporting those involved, which includes opening avenues for more complaints to be made confidentially.
Wallace's recent history indicates previous allegations against him, such as similar complaints made back in 2018 related to his behavior on Impossible Celebrities. His legal team firmly denies any claims of sexual harassment, insisting the allegations are fabricated. “It is entirely false he engages in behavior of a sexually harassing nature,” his lawyers stated.
Although Wallace remains committed to cooperating with investigations, the scrutiny over his past behaviors is not expected to fade quickly. The outcome of the inquiries may very well change the future of significantly regarded television programming.
Meanwhile, as the issue continues to garner attention, it raises questions about workplace behavior, cultural standards, and accountability within the media. The extent to which this will influence the industry moving forward remains to be seen, but the voices demanding justice and change are getting louder.
