Anita Rani slams Gregg Wallace with message about 'middle-class women of a certain age'

BBC presenter Anita Rani has appeared to react to MasterChef's Gregg Wallace suggesting that it had been 'middle-class women of a certain age' who complained about him

TV presenter Anita Rani appeared to take aim at Gregg Wallace in a post this week after he blamed "middle-class women of a certain age" for complaints about him.

It was announced last week that Gregg, 60, has stepped away from his role on MasterChef whilst production company Banijay UK review apparent historical misconduct complaints. As reported by BBC News, his lawyers said it was 'entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature' and Gregg has since spoken out himself.

Gregg said in a video message over the weekend: "Now in the newspaper I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age just from Celebrity Masterchef. This isn't right." He was met with backlash, including from some fellow celebrities, and Gregg has since apologised for "any offence" caused by it.

Countryfile host Anita, 47, appeared to wade into the discussion on Instagram on Monday night by defending "middle class women of a certain age". She shared a quote, that she attributed to writer Stella Duffy, with her followers.

The quote read: "It's important to remember that middle class women of a certain age grew up as working class girls who were, and are, fierce as f***. With long memories." Anita added in the caption: "Can't take the credit for this one. It's taken from @stellduffy But I like the cut of her jib."

Reaction to Gregg's remark comes after it was announced on Thursday that he would be stepping away MasterChef while allegations from 13 people that he made inappropriate sexual comments are investigated. The allegations are said to have been made by people working across a range of shows over a 17-year period.

Gregg said in a video message shared on the weekend: "I have been doing MasterChef for 20 years - amateur, celebrity and professional MasterChef - and I think in that time I have worked with over 4,000 contestants of all different ages, all different backgrounds [and] all walks of life. And apparently now I am reading in the paper there's been 13 complaints in that time. Now in the newspaper I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age just from Celebrity Masterchef. This isn't right." He continued: "In over 20 years of television, can you imagine how many women, female contestants, on MasterChef have made sexual remarks or sexual innuendo. Can you imagine?"

He has however since apologised for "any offence" caused, saying in a subsequent message: "I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people. I wasn't in a good headspace when I posted it, I've been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion, I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it. It's obvious to me I need to take some time out, now, while this investigation is under way I hope you understand and I do hope you will accept this apology."

Last week, Banijay UK said in a statement: "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.

"While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating 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."

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."

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