GREGG Wallace has been accused of faking a sex act in front of horrified colleagues as he faces a new wave of allegations.
The host, 60, has stepped down from his role as a judge on MasterChef after an investigation was launched into alleged “sexual comments”.
9
Gregg Wallace has ‘stepped down’ from his role as MasterChefCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7Heo08oLmB/?hl=en
9
Gregg Wallace outside his home in Kent on ThursdayCredit: Paul Edwards
9
The Telegraph’s investigation was launched after the alleged victim made a formal complaint to BBCCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEOVu9rHcW2/?hl=en
Now a new wave of allegations has been reported by the Daily Telegraph.
Among them are claims that Gregg held the MasterChef co-star by the head and pushed himself against her while she knelt in front of him and cleaned the mark from his pants.
He was also accused of walking into the MasterChef studio “completely naked except [a] pulled the sock over his penis” before performing a “silly dance”, reported the Telegraph – who spoke to a witness to the incident.
Gregg’s lawyers told the BBC it was completely false that he had engaged in sexually harassing behavior.
The Telegraph’s investigation was launched after the alleged victim made a formal complaint to the BBC.
The complaint goes on to say that the presenter was “very sensitive” and made “disgusting sex-related jokes”.
Banijay UK, which hosts the popular BBC cookery show, said it was carrying out “an ongoing external review to fully and impartially investigate”.
A spokesperson said: “While this review is ongoing, Gregg Wallace will be stepping back 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.”
A BBC spokesman added: “We take all issues brought to our attention seriously and have robust processes in place to deal with them. We are always clear that any behavior that falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated.
“Where an individual is directly employed by an external production company, we share any complaints or concerns with that company and will always support them when approached.”
Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals with Gregg will continue to air as scheduled despite the development.
It came after the MasterChef co-host was seen smiling outside his home in Kent today.
9
The presenter smiled as he left the house hours after it was revealed he had resigned from his post Credit: Paul Edwards
9
He wore a baseball cap and gloves as he stepped outside Credit: Paul Edwards
9
Gregg has presented MasterChef alongside John Torode since 2005
Gregg was first accused of making “inappropriate sexual comments” to a BBC employee on Impossible Celebrities.
Some 13 people who worked with the presenter 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
- He was forced to resign amid a BBC misconduct investigation into his alleged behaviour
- 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
BBC Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, who said he told “sexualised” jokes while filming Celebrity MasterChef in 2011, is one of the accusers.
The broadcaster said it felt strongly that the comments were “really, really misplaced”.
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 pants.
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 been asked to step down from the hit cooking series while a separate investigation is carried out.
The Sun told how Gregg first got into 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.
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.
It follows a string of scandals that have plagued the BBC – including Huw Edwards’ child sex crimes and the Strictly Come Dancing abuse investigation.
9
BBC News today confirmed it had launched an investigation into Gregg in the summerCredit: BBC
9
Kirsty Wark accused him of making sexual comments
9
Gregg has denied all allegationsCredit: Instagram
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education