CELEBRITY hindsight is always 20/20.
Apparently “everyone” knew that Gregg Wallace was a bit wrong – a dinosaur in the age of the Tamagotchi – and nothing was officially said for over ten years.
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Why aren’t high profile stars who act like Gregg Wallace called out anymore? asks Clemmie MoodieCredit: Phil Harris
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Gregg left MasterchefCredit: BBC
Season after season, the “two Gs” of Gregg have not only brought him back to BBC’s MasterChef, but also given him countless other opportunities, both on and off the air.
And now Great Britain host Andi Oliver has weighed in on what other stars, including Kirsty Wark, Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster, have already claimed.
Speaking about the women who came forward, Andi said: “I’m not surprised by that.
“There is a certain culture that allows it.
READ MORE ABOUT GREG WALLACE
“Someone should have nipped that s**t in the bud a long time ago.
“It’s not like nobody knew it was happening.
“I heard all kinds of things, everyone heard. And there are tons of others who misbehave.”
She has a right. I recently wrote about my experience on a MasterChef press special where Gregg didn’t do anything particularly wrong, he was just, well, a little naughty.
So why didn’t I write it earlier?
The fury of the layoff culture
Grace Dent is replacing Gregg Wallace on MasterChef after he pulled out amid a groping investigation
Those pesky libel laws for starters and, well, we all have our bad days.
I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be well employed if I got fired every time I was naughty.
Although, as far as I know, I’ve never been mugging around with a sock on my genitals, or flashing staff members – as Gregg was alleged to have done.
Although Gregg persists in his denial, he is not the first “man of his generation” to incur the wrath of the layoff culture. And it won’t be the last.
I can name five high-profile men with terrible reputations off the top of my head: profanity, misogyny, extracurricular sex.
However, multimillionaires remain on the air.
I also recently learned of two famous women, both famous names, known as abusers.
But thanks in part to NDAs, they remain untouchable for now.
Every celebrity has a horror story about another famous co-star or presenter – some have contractual clauses saying they won’t share airtime or dressing rooms with them.
So why aren’t they, like Gregg, exposed on the front pages of newspapers or on social media?
As Andi points out, “Culture will only change if we stop all the fake anger and actually implement change.
“I don’t care about thousands of people shouting about Gregg Wallace.
“What matters is whether we remember it in six months or whether there will be more shock and fury when it happens again with the next person whose antics are public secrets.”
So it’s up to TV executives, advertisers, moneymen (and women) to effect change; no more “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”.
If they are preceded by a bad reputation of talent, they must at least inquire.
There is a big caveat here, of course.
Sometimes cruel, unfounded rumors are spread and the flames of unjust hatred are ignited on the Internet. And that is unfair.
We also don’t want a situation where every risky guy close to the bone is cancelled, where no one dares to say a single sentence off-camera lest they be cancelled.
But the days of turning a blind eye are over. Vision in the industry must also be 20/20.
Misspelling
STUDENTS’ handwriting is often so poor that examiners cannot mark their GCSE.
Given that everything is now behind the scenes, is it any wonder?
I’m so unaccustomed to writing that my wrist hurt after writing just four Christmas cards a few weeks ago.
Schools must bring back compulsory handwriting lessons, along with endless ones on tablets.
I’m drooling… but Gavin and Stacey DROPPED ME
Gavin & Stacey’s Christmas special attracted the biggest TV audience in a decade.
Big sporting occasion aside, the perfect finale – written by James Corden and Ruth Jones – might be the last collective national TV moment we ever have.
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Clemmie was supposed to be an extra on Gavin and Stacey. Credits: Delivered
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Clemmie wore a West Ham shirt with the Smithy crest for her (redundant) role on the hen night Credits: Submitted
That should have been my “big break”.
A week earlier, I was gushing excitedly in this paper about my day as an extra (or background actor to give me the proper PC title).
Fake news, it turns out.
Yes, dear reader, I was mercilessly PICKED out of the final edit.
While a strict NDA prevented me from detailing my pre-broadcast scene, I can now reveal that for my (redundant) role at the stag do, I donned a West Ham shirt with the Smithy crest.
Indeed, I take my acting so seriously that I was willing to wear burgundy and blue despite being a Spurs fan.
While the show was all the worse because I didn’t show my left shoulder, really. . . it was absolute perfection.
North of the James
JAMES NORTON’s description of men “trying to rebalance the patriarchal crimes of the past” is the pinnacle of the awakening.
The Happy Valley star, a James Bond contender, said: “Many men mistakenly think that we should make space, step back and almost become passive.”
Hmm. Yeah, that’s what all the guys I know say. . .
Saur losers
FINALLY someone is threatening to disrupt the country’s two party system.
Nigel Farage, with possible financial backing from Elon Musk, shows no signs of slowing down in 2025.
His online spat with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is little more than a sideshow.
Where the I’m a Celebrity star really struggles is online, with tomorrow’s voters.
After hiring a team of genius Z geniuses – those who know their Tik from their Tok – he successfully manages to engage a crowd of potential voters.
Something that the political dinosaurs, Kemi and Keir, can only dream about.
Happy New Year
2024, eh. What a year.
Twelve months of political upheavals, fat knocks, celebrity cancellations, Charli XCX and photos showing Comrade Sir Keira’s gratuitous designer beatings.
Plus special recognition to Woman of the Year, Gisele Pelicot, for bravely, uniquely, standing up for women everywhere.
Who knows what 2025 will bring.
But I wish you all a very happy new year – even the guy who writes weekly and calls me Horse Face.
May you have the best yet.
Count on VAT to fail
LABOR’S most revolutionary education policy starts tomorrow.
The decision by Accounts Rachel and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to introduce 20 per cent VAT on private school fees will, I predict, prove to be another political disaster.
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Education Minister Bridget Phillipson’s decision to introduce 20 per cent VAT on private school fees will, I predict, prove to be another political disasterCredit: Getty
The Government’s claims that state schools will be strengthened are as ridiculous as they are wrong.
In short, the sums do not add up.
Thousands of privately educated children have either left or quit, meaning they will now become a burden on the state system.
With 470,000 teachers in England’s state schools, the promise of an extra 6,500 new teachers is just a drop in the bucket – as it equates to roughly one-third of teachers per school.
Which, no, Rachel Reeves, will not “raise standards”.
This is not a tax on entitled Etonians – it is mostly a tax on aspirations and hard-working and, most importantly, very normal parents.
Race to reclaim the trash
NOTHING says Christmas like returning presents at 7.06am.
According to Collect+, the in-store parcel service, the first crappy gift registered for return on December 25 was recorded when most of us were still crawling out of bed.
Crisis time
OUR leafy brethren are occasionally accused of being boring, pompous and posh. But no.
Yesterday The Times unveiled its latest fierce campaign – unearthing Britain’s toughest crisp.
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The Times has unveiled its latest fierce campaign – unearthing Britain’s toughest crisp Credit: Getty
Displaying astonishing levels of research talent, science editor Tom Whipple bravely tested dozens of thinly sliced fries to find out exactly which crispbread can handle the most hummus and sour cream.
A vital test, one just in time for New Year’s Eve.
And the winner? Tyrrells, ready salted (reefs).
Cruz’s social struggles
YOUNG Cruz Beckham might have something about him after all.
David and Victoria’s youngest boy, currently in the middle of promoting his debut single, joked “Jesus was a Nepo-baby too” when asked by a fan if he had an unfair advantage over his guitar rivals.
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Cruz Beckham is currently in the midst of promoting his debut singleCredit: Getty
Funny, isn’t it? No, obviously.
In the “I’m offended” era, a servant close to Cruz apparently panicked.
Within minutes, his Christmas comment was deleted from Instagram, which I guess is not that surprising.
Even miracle worker JC would have his work cut out for him navigating social media.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education