Gregg Wallace, the renowned host of MasterChef, is facing significant backlash following his controversial comments about the allegations of misconduct against him. The reactions have exploded on social media and from various public figures after Wallace downplayed the numerous complaints, referring to the accusers as "middle-class women of a certain age." This comment only added fuel to the embers of outrage already sparked by allegations of inappropriate behavior, including sexual innuendos and undressing in front of colleagues.
The storm began when it emerged last week through various media outlets, including HuffPost, The Independent, and The Telegraph, outlining past and recent complaints lodged against Wallace. Reports detailed assertions from at least 13 individuals, including both women and men, alleging sexual harassment, inappropriate jokes, and multiple unwelcome advances directed at female staff members over many years. The allegations prompted the production company Banijay to initiate an immediate review, keeping Wallace out of his role on MasterChef during the investigation.
Wallace took to Instagram to address the controversy, stating, "I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn’t right." He expressed disbelief, mentioning his long-standing career spanning over two decades and how many contestants he has worked with—over 4,000 from various backgrounds. Concluding his statement, he questioned the validity of the complaints, stating, "Can you think of how many women on MasterChef have made sexual remarks or sexual innuendos? Can you even image?"
His remarks, particularly the focus on the socio-economic status and age of his accusers, were met with swift rebuke. Notably, former Celebrity MasterChef winner Emma Kennedy, who had reported inappropriate conduct by Wallace, rebuked his comment, stating, "It doesn’t matter what the age of any woman is. Playing the ‘they’re having a go at me because I’m working-class’ card is ridiculous." Kennedy’s statements reflect the growing dissatisfaction with Wallace's dismissal of the seriousness of the accusations.
Another one of Wallace's critics, Kirstie Allsopp, recorded her disappointment over his irresponsible comments on BBC Radio 4. She emphasized, “That is unacceptable. Because he is saying this is a class issue, and middle-class women don’t understand the type of things he says because he’s working-class. Well, I’m sorry, but he’s doing an incredible disservice to men." Allsopp, who once allegedly experienced inappropriate remarks from Wallace, condemned his attempts to dismiss accusations based on class distinctions.
Meanwhile, another accuser expressed frustration with Wallace’s minimization of the complaints. “He clearly hasn’t learned his lesson,” she stated, urging Wallace to take accountability for his actions rather than aggravate the situation. Recent complaints questioned Wallace's behavior on other shows, particularly highlighting past incidents from Inside the Factory and Gregg Wallace’s Big Weekends, arguing the pattern of alleged inappropriate conduct was becoming more evident.
The BBC is now facing scrutiny of its internal policies concerning these allegations, with numerous claims surfacing over the years about Wallace's behavior since as early as 2017. A complaint from former Celebrity MasterChef contestant Aasmah Mir prompted serious concerns about Wallace's conduct, leading former BBC executive Kate Phillips to voice her worries about Wallace's behavior, labeling it “unacceptable.” Yet, it appears the organization’s response has often been inadequate, allowing Wallace to continue his role as the host of MasterChef for many years.
A recent whistleblower letter submitted by Dawn Elrick, a producer who worked with Wallace, detailed claims of inappropriate behavior, but she alleges no significant action was taken by the BBC following her reports. The letter stated female colleagues had been made to feel uncomfortable due to Wallace's humor and advances.
The pressure is mounting on the BBC and Banijay UK to address these allegations thoroughly and change how they handle misconduct claims. Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media, and Sport Select Committee, has highlighted the necessity for the BBC management to provide clarity on their processes and protect staff members.
While Wallace continues to deny any wrongdoing, stating through his lawyers, “It is entirely false to say he engages in behavior of a sexually harassing nature,” the fallout from his comments shows no signs of abatement. This has been exemplified by public figures across social media, including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and David Baddiel, who have commented on how Wallace’s remarks reflect poorly on him and perpetuate negative stereotypes.
From the history of complaints and the current investigation, the situation involving Gregg Wallace presents serious questions about how allegations of misconduct are managed within the entertainment industry. The continuing discourse surrounding the topic highlights the importance of accountability, respect, and the serious nature of the claims being made against influential figures like Wallace.
Looking forward, fans of MasterChef and the general public anticipate how the BBC and Banijay UK will handle the findings of their investigation and whether this situation will prompt long-overdue changes to policies addressing workplace harassment within the network.
For now, the future of Gregg Wallace on MasterChef hangs by the thread of the results of the current inquiry, leaving many to wonder if the backlash will enforce stricter regulations and wider accountability for actions labeled unacceptable across platforms.
