Gregg Wallace has broken his silence after he stepped down from MasterChef amid allegations he made ‘sexual comments to 13 colleagues’.
The presenter, 60, thanked people for their support following accusations he mimicked a sex act and wandered into the MasterChef studio ‘completely naked’ apart from a ‘sock covering his penis’.
The Daily Telegraph says it has spoken to a witness who claims to have seen both these alleged incidents. Gregg was also ‘very touchy feely’, the newspaper quotes the witness as saying.
Now in a video posted on Instagram tonight, he said: ‘I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reach out and showing their support.
‘That’s good of you, thank you very much.’
The grocer turned presenter is also accused of making ‘disgusting sex-related jokes’, including one about an ‘aunt’ while tasting a contestant’s dish during the show.
It came as Sir Rod Stewart accused Wallace of bullying his wife Penny Lancaster on the show in 2021.
‘Good riddance Wallace… You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out didn’t you? You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya’, he said on Instagram.
Gregg Wallace, 60, pictured giving a statement on Instagram this evening
Kirsty Wark and Gregg Wallace pictured on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011
Gregg Wallace (pictured today) is accused of dancing naked in the MasterChef studio with only a sock to cover his modesty, according to one report
MailOnline has asked Mr Wallace to comment on the claims, which if proven would likely end the BBC career of one its biggest names in yet another sex-related crisis to grip the corporation.
Newsnight host Kirsty Walk, is one of the 13 people who have accused Wallace of ‘wrong’ and inappropriate ‘sexualised’ behaviour during the filming of Masterchef.
Ms Walk claims that on two occasions Wallace told stories and jokes of a ‘sexualised nature’ in front of contestants and crew while filming Celebrity MasterChef in 2011. She said his gags and comments were ‘really, really in the wrong place’.
‘There were two occasions in particular where he used sexualised language in front of a number of people and it wasn’t as if anyone engaged with this. It was completely one-way traffic. But I think people were uncomfortable and something that I really did not expect to happen’, she said.
Today Scottish broadcaster Aasmah Mir shared a picture of herself during the 2017 Celebrity MasterChef series with the cryptic message: ‘Always keep your receipts’. It is not yet known if she has also complained.
Wallace has been accused of taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to ‘give her a fashion show’ and talking about his sex life to others.
Wallace (pictured with John Torode), 60, is ‘committed to fully cooperating throughout the process’, the show’s production company Banijay UK said
The BBC has said that it will take the issues raised about Wallace ‘seriously’
On one occasion he allegedly told a junior female colleague he wasn’t wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans.
The BBC has revealed that 13 people, including Ms Wark, have accused him of misconduct while working with him over a 17-year period across five shows, from 2005 to 2022.
The BBC claims that Wallace walked away from MasterChef today after BBC News sent a letter to his agent on Tuesday, setting out allegations from 13 people and giving him a right of reply. They say he was warned after a complaint was raised in 2018, but new historical claims emerged over the summer of 2024.
Wallace, 60, is ‘committed to fully cooperating throughout the process’, the show’s production company Banijay UK said. But he will be on BBC One as usual tonight because MasterChef: The Professionals, which is already recorded, will transmit as planned and into December. MasterChef’s Christmas specials will also still be broadcast.
In October Gregg vehemently denied that he had made inappropriate sexual comments towards women, declaring that he would never ‘flirt with’ or ‘hit on’ another woman and saying: ‘I didn’t say anything sexual’.
BBC News said it had been told of other allegations, including the presenter ‘talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to ‘give her a fashion show’, and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans’.
Banijay has not revealed the nature of the allegations, but last month it was claimed the grocer turned TV star had boasted about his sex life to a younger female BBC employee and took his top off in front of her.
In a statement to the PA news agency Banijay UK said: ‘This week the BBC received complaints from individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with presenter Gregg Wallace on one of our shows.
‘Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate.
Actress Lisa Faulkner (centre) has said Gregg Wallace (left) repeatedly made rude jokes to MasterChef crew members – she is married to his co-host John Torode (right)
Gregg Wallace and his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini arrive at Aynhoe Park in Banbury for the wedding of Lisa Faulkner and John Torode in 2019
Gregg looked stressed as Ms Wark struggled with her gravy in 2011
‘While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully cooperating throughout the process.
‘Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set.
‘Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.’
The statement added: ‘If anyone would like to talk to us or raise any issues or concerns, then they can contact speakup@banijayuk.com in confidence.’
The BBC has said it takes any issues that are raised with it ‘seriously’.
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.
‘We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated.
‘Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them.’
