GREGG Wallace allegedly made sexual remarks to 13 colleagues, including BBC presenter Kirsty Wark – as the star walked out of MasterChef today.
The Sun revealed that Gregg, 60, had previously come under fire after “inappropriate sexual comments” were made to a BBC staff member on Impossible Celebrities.
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Gregg Wallace has left Masterchef
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Kirsty Wark accused him of making sexual comments
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The show’s production company has launched an external investigation into the separate allegationsCredit: PA
Since then, 13 people who worked with Gregg on a series of shows over a 17-year period have now accused him of making sexual comments, the BBC confirmed today.
It comes as…
- Gregg Wallace retired from MasterChef today
- The star is facing an investigation after allegedly making sexual remarks to 13 colleagues
- BBC Newsnight presenter and 2011 contestant Kirsty Wark says Wallace told ‘sexualised’ jokes during filming
- Gregg accused of being open about his sex life, removing his top in front of a young employee and telling another not to wear pants
- Previous MasterChef episodes presented by scandal hit Gregg are still on iPlayer
- MasterChef star Aasmah Mir shares a cryptic “always keep your receipts” post.
- The BBC will still air two festive Masterchef specials this Christmas – despite both being fronted by Gregg Wallace
- It was revealed that Gregg WAS forced to resign after the probe was launched
Among the accusers is BBC Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, who said he told “sexualised” jokes during a 2011 taping of Celebrity MasterChef.
The broadcaster said it felt strongly that the comments were “really, really misplaced”.
It has since been revealed that Gregg WAS forced out of the MasterChef job after an investigation was launched.
Times Radio presenter and Celebrity MasterChef 2017 contestant Aasmah Mir posted a cryptic message today after the news broke, saying: “Always keep your receipts.”
Other allegations include Gregg being open about his sex life, removing his top in front of junior staff and telling another young colleague not to wear trousers.
BBC News today confirmed it launched an investigation into Gregg in the summer after allegations were made about five shows between 2005 and 2022.
Gregg’s lawyers have called the latest claims false, but the MasterChef host has stepped down from the hit cooking series while a separate investigation is conducted.
MasterChef production company Banijay UK said complaints were made this week regarding “historic allegations” of misconduct on the show.
The company has now launched its own “current, external review” of his so-called behaviour.
Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals with Gregg will continue to air as scheduled despite the development.
Watch the awkward moment Gregg Wallace makes lewd insinuations about Celeb Masterchef star in leaked clip
The company said: “While this review is ongoing, Gregg Wallace will be stepping down from his role on MasterChef and is committed to co-operating fully throughout the process.
“Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations of behavior are made clear to both cast and crew in all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set.
“Although these are historical allegations, incidents brought to our attention where these expectations have not been met are thoroughly investigated and dealt with appropriately.”
The Sun told how Gregg first found himself in hot water with BBC bosses in 2018 for taking off his top and bragging about antics.
He was brought to a meeting accused of making “inappropriate sexual comments” to a contributor to the BBC’s Impossible Celebrities game.
Then in 2023 he was accused of being rude to women while working on the BBC’s Inside The Factory.
It follows a series of scandals that have plagued the organization – including Huw Edwards’ child sex crimes and the Strictly Come Dancing abuse investigation.
After the complaints were raised, Gregg admitted he had made the comments but denied they were sexual.
He also emphasized that he loves his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, whom he married in 2016.
The TV star said: “According to what is written in the papers, the BBC investigated these allegations six years ago.
“The allegations were investigated six years ago and my comments were found to be non-sexual.
“I repeat, not sexually. Thank you all for your time.
“I don’t want anyone to take this the wrong way and make it look like I was flirting with someone. No one has accused me of that and I never have.”
Gregg has presented MasterChef alongside John Torode since 2005 and also hosts spin-off series Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.
He was also the original host of Saturday Kitchen in 2002 and has appeared on Eat Well For Less and Supermarket Secrets.
Gregg took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.
A BBC spokesman said: “We take all issues brought to our attention seriously and have robust processes in place to deal with them.
“We have always been clear that any behavior that falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated.
“Where an individual is directly contracted to an external production company, we share any complaints or concerns with that company and will always support them when we approach them.”
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Recorded episodes of the MasterChef series: Professionals will continue to be broadcast Credits: AND
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Gregg emphasized in the comment that he loves his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini Credit: Rex
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