Gregg Wallace, the beloved face of BBC's MasterChef, has taken a significant step back from the cooking show amid mounting allegations of misconduct. This unexpected turn of events has sparked rampant speculation about who might take over his role as host of the iconic culinary competition.
The controversy surrounding Wallace began to heat up when several individuals came forward with claims against him. Allegations range from past inappropriate physical contact to more concerning behaviors alleged during various public events. Reports indicate he faces accusations from at least 13 people over the span of 17 years. Among the claims is one where he allegedly touched a woman’s bottom at an event and pressed his groin against another woman during filming for another show. Wallace’s legal representatives staunchly deny these allegations, asserting they are without merit.
Adding to the allegations, there have been reports from MasterChef staff and former contestants—prominent names like Emma Kennedy and Kirsty Wark—who have recounted experiences where they felt uneasy due to Wallace’s behavior on set. A particularly disturbing incident was highlighted when Shannon Kyle, who has worked as Wallace's ghostwriter, revealed some of his questionable conduct during her appearance on NewsNight with Victoria Derbyshire.
One shocking claim involves Wallace allegedly asking a British Sign Language interpreter to sign phrases such as "big boobs" and "sexy bum" during the BBC Good Food Show back in 2012. An attendee at the event recounted the moment, stating, "There was a British Sign Language interpreter there and he wandered over to her at one point and just said: 'Do you have to sign everything I say?' And she said yes, and then he just started saying... this sort of thing, to get her to sign it." These remarks have not only created havoc for Wallace's public image but have also left the BBC pondering how to proceed with the format of MasterChef moving forward.
While Wallace grapples with these serious allegations, speculation intensifies around potential replacements for his hosting duties. Bookmakers have placed their bets on James Martin as the frontrunner to step up. Martin, known for his long presence on Saturday Kitchen and James Martin's Saturday Morning, is currently the favorite among betting houses, with odds of 5/2. A representative from BetFred commented on the situation, saying, "With Gregg Wallace unlikely to return to MasterChef, the big question is who might step to fill his shoes. James Martin is currently the bookies' favorite, with experience hosting and regularly appearing on prime-time setups, making him suitable for the iconic series."
Aside from Martin, there are whispers of other potential candidates, such as John Torode’s wife, Lisa Faulkner, who carries odds of 3/1. Following her, culinary icons like Nigella Lawson at 4/1 and Gino D'Acampo at 5/1 are also being considered.
With the brewing controversies, the BBC has made the decision to pull two MasterChef Christmas specials from its schedule after Wallace announced he would be stepping back from hosting duties. Wallace caused additional upset with comments he made recently, which many interpreted as dismissive of complaints lodged against him. After initially attributing the complaints to “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age,” he later faced backlash, prompting him to take time away from social media and issue apologies for the insensitivity of his remarks.
During this scandal, the BBC has remained relatively tight-lipped about how they plan to proceed, particularly concerning Wallace's involvement with the next MasterChef series, which has reportedly already been filmed. Insiders state, “The Beeb won’t even say if they’ll attempt to edit him out of the program, though it would be virtually impossible to do.” This uncertainty has created what is deemed “a nightmare” for BBC executives considering the costs associated with filming abroad.
Despite the controversy surrounding him, Wallace has maintained his stance against the allegations, passionately declaring them to be false. He aims to cooperate fully with the external investigation being conducted by the BBC, stating through communications from his team his commitment to clear his name during the review process.
The situation has provoked dialogue across various media platforms, raising questions about workplace culture within television and the entertainment industry as a whole. Former MasterChef winner Mat Follas echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the BBC for creating an environment where Wallace's alleged behavior was not discouraged, but rather, allowed. Follas shadowed these remarks by stating, “Anyone who has been there knows there was an environment where Gregg was allowed, encouraged—certainly not discouraged.”
He continued by emphasizing, “They hired a loud, inappropriate, funny man to perform, they have spent 20 years encouraging the behavior,” implying the need for accountability not just from Wallace, but within the network itself.
With Wallace’s future at MasterChef remaining uncertain, industry watchers are left wondering just how this saga will conclude. The focus on Martin as the prospective new host adds another layer to the drama, playing out against the backdrop of allegations and public outcry. When the dust settles, only time will tell how the BBC will move forward, whom they choose to lead MasterChef, and what changes might emerge from this tumultuous chapter.