BEING a woman of a “certain age”, I unfortunately experienced behavior similar to the allegations against Gregg Wallace when I started my career.
Rewind about 25 years, when I was a junior reporter, and there was a photographer who would hug me on every trip together and ask, “Do you think we could have sex?”
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Gregg Wallace – pictured here with his fourth wife Anne-Marie – has been accused of allegations including claims of sexual harassment, groping her bottom and walking on set naked except for a sock on his penis Credit: Rex
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The presenter has retired from MasterChefCredit: BBC/SHINE TV/UNPIXS
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Mel Sykes says Wallace’s behavior caused him to quit his TV careerCredit: BBC
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Kirsty Wark says Wallace told ‘sexualised jokes’Credit: Pixel8000
The head of the news agency who insisted on changing in my room, claiming it was the last one in the hotel, and dropped the towel.
I even had to work for a boss who declared — in front of a senior director — that I would never make it far in journalism because my breasts were too small.
It may have been only two decades ago, but in many ways it was like a different world.
I, and many others, dealt with it by making jokes to get out of the situation and then laughing behind their backs.
Fortunately, life is very different now.
We have changed with time, the way men and women treat each other has evolved so much.
Many of us are much more self-aware.
Except, that is, from Neanderthals who clearly didn’t grow up, as Gregg Wallace seems to be the case.
Ironically, in the long run, many women—aside from those poor victims of his alleged obnoxious attentions—may actually have Wallace to thank.
Because now some men of a “certain age” can sit up, take notice and think hard about how they may have made a woman feel and how they plan to act in the future.
Towel dropped
John Torode breaks his silence on allegations made by fellow MasterChef Gregg Wallace
Accusations against the MasterChef host include claims of sexual harassment, groping on the bottom, walking on set naked except for a sock on his penis and opening the door with only a towel which he later dropped.
Mel Sykes says it led to the end of her television career, Kirsty Wark says he told “sexualised jokes” and Kirstie Allsopp says he made her feel uncomfortable but was “waiting for a male colleague to ask him out”.
John Torode seems to have tried to do just that.
It is believed that John was unhappy with his colleague’s language on the set and his reputation and complained to the MasterChef production company.
I guess it fell on deaf ears or was swept under the rug by someone who wanted to protect the success story of a big-money series.
I actually met Gregg Wallace.
Modern industry
He was funny and kind, although he kept telling unnecessary jokes that made interviewing him a real struggle.
None were inappropriate; maybe because we were at his home, and his wife, her parents and their beautiful son were also there.
Anne-Marie was lovely. Much quieter and quite timid, compared to her loud husband, but also warm and friendly.
As moms with sons of the same age, we talked about kindergartens and choosing the right elementary schools.
She hasn’t spoken out this week, and I doubt she will, as Gregg was clearly the more honest of the two – a star enjoying the limelight while quietly supporting him.
Like the other women in the Wallace saga, I feel very sorry for her.
But if that’s true, I don’t feel sorry for Gregg because he worked in a modern industry where he really should have known better.
If he didn’t realize that his actions were ridiculously inappropriate, then he’s an arrogant, snarky idiot.
This kind of behavior was often swept under the carpet in the nineties.
But this kind of behavior should never have been acceptable.
And women should never have been forced to feel that.
Let’s hope there will be less workplace innuendo, funny sex jokes, bum pats or men dropping towels after Gregg’s apparent embarrassment.
And the women of the future can thank these discoveries for that.
KATE’S BRIGHT EXAMPLE
SINCE she became a member of the royal family, Kate has been an inspiration to many.
As she held a candle – looking at the picture of health at the Westminster Abbey Mass she helped organize – the Princess of Wales also gave hope to all those battling cancer.
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Kate looked at the picture of health at the Westminster Abbey Mass she helped organizeCredit: Reuters
She had a terrible year, but she came out of it smiling.
As the saying goes, it’s not about the cards you’re dealt, it’s about how you play the hand.
And by showing off her glow and happiness, I’m sure Kate will give families going through the same nightmare a little extra strength this holiday season.
LEARN THE HOME TRUTH
Any parent who lets their kids sleep in from school because they work from home baffles me.
According to Ofsted, there is a growing number.
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I am baffled by any parent who lets their kids sleep in from school because they work from homeCredit: Getty
Children skip large parts of class, especially on Fridays.
It is believed to originate from the time of Covid when the pandemic trained parents to work with their children.
Chris McGovern, from the Campaign for Real Education, said: “Parents who allow children to miss school while working from home are completely irresponsible.”
It is also utterly ridiculous and disrespectful to the teachers who are there to teach them.
I have a five-year-old, and when my after-school daycare recently canceled at the last minute, I had no choice but to try to keep him quiet with sweets and bribes while I tried—and failed—to work.
Any parent who imposes this on themselves is either a better multitasker than I am or is not really doing their job properly.
THE CALL OF THE PREY
WHEN Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham are separated, they decide to “FaceTime sleep” so they can still be virtually next to each other all night.
They recently spent nine hours on it while he was working in Mexico.
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Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham opt to ‘FaceTime sleep’ when apartCredit: Getty
Isn’t that cute! They are not alone, the trend is in fashion among generation Z.
But aside from being the height of romance, I imagine there are plenty who do it just to ensure their significant other is stuck in bed – with no visitors – all night.
TORMENT IS GREATER MADNESS
I BET dairy bosses Arla might cringe at bragging about the fact that they are trialling a new feed additive on some farms.
It stops burping and farting cows to tackle climate-warming methane emissions.
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I bet dairy bosses Arla might cringe at bragging about the fact that they are trialling a new feed additive on some farms Credit: Getty
Misinformation surrounding this has led to some households across the country throwing their milk and Lurpak in the bin in horror.
There are unfounded fears of health effects, although studies have shown that after cows metabolize the feed additive, no trace of it remains in milk or beef.
I’ll go with the experts and take my chances – and hope Arla drops the utterly ridiculous price of their butter to get customers back.
WE know that David Beckham likes to be in the center of attention.
You only need to see that photo of him grinning as he walks into his first state banquet with Victoria at Buckingham Palace this week (while secretly hoping for that knighthood?!).
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Beckham paid tribute to Kath Phipps who looked after him from the age of 15 until the day he left Old Trafford
But his less regal actions show what kind of man he is.
He visited the home of beloved Man United receptionist Kath Phipps shortly before her death.
He paid tribute to the woman who looked after him from the age of 15 until the day he left Old Trafford.
Becks said he loved her. I bet it was a huge comfort to her that he was there towards the end.
SO INN DENIAL
A HISTORIC London pub where Charles Dickens once drank could be closing for good after noisy neighbors complained.
They say they are sick of people drinking outside, especially “women talking loudly”.
But the landlord of The Sekforde in Clerkenwell says the end of alfresco drinking could be disastrous.
You have to wonder who would move into a £2 million house next to a pub in London’s Zone 1 and not expect any noise.
Location, location. . .
Maybe it’s time for that move to the Cotswolds.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education