Gregg Wallace's TV career hangs by a thread - as it is claimed the presenter wandered naked into the MasterChef studio with a sock pulled over his privates.
The incident is one of a number of alleged misconducts over several years - and now Wallace, 60, has stepped down from the hugely popular BBC1 show. Former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark is among 13 people who have accused the MasterChef presenter of making inappropriate sexual comments.
The full allegations came to light on Thursday after the show's production company Banijay UK confirmed the complaints made to the BBC are now being investigated. Wallace, who started a greengrocer company in 1989 which grew to a turnover of £7.5 million, is cooperating with the probe.
Banijay UK, which also makes Big Brother, and the BBC have released official statements on the investigation. The probe is addressing all the complaints, including an allegation the former market trader came into the MasterChef studios starkers apart from a strategically placed sock before performing a "silly dance". The witness alleged that he was "very touchy-feely" and made "disgusting sex-related jokes".
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BBC/Shine TV)The BBC spokesman 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."
Wallace has presented MasterChef alongside John Torode since 2005, as well as its spin-offs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals. Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Wallace will transmit as planned, with the next episode due to air on Thursday, it is understood.
The Banijay UK spokesman 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.
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INSTAGRAM)"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. Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately. If anyone would like to talk to us or raise any issues or concerns, then they can contact speakupbanijayuk.com in confidence."
Wallace's lawyers say "it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature", BBC News reported. The father of two, raised in Peckham, southeast London, was made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2022 for his services to food and charity.
He was the original presenter of the BBC show Saturday Kitchen in 2002 and, over the years, has also featured on Eat Well For Less, Inside The Factory, Turn Back Time, Harvest, and Supermarket Secrets.
English (US) ·