BBC's Anita Rani has taken aim at Gregg Wallace for the second time this week.
She used her red carpet entrance to a glitzy awards ceremony in London to wear a dress that had the words 'middle class women of a certain age' emblazoned across the front. It's a direct reference to the words Gregg used in an online rant when he hit out at complaints against him, which has led to him stepping away from his hosting role on MasterChef while an investigation is carried out.
In a video posed to Instagram last weekend, Gregg said: "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.
Gregg's lawyers previously said it was "entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature" and Wallace has vehemently denied all allegations made against him
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Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty Images)Image:
Instagram)Earlier on this week, 47-year-old Countryfile host Anita appeared to wade into the discussion when she shared a quote that she attributed to writer Stella Duffy with her 150,000 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." She 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."
Now it seems Anita has gone one step further and had a T-shirt dress made with Gregg's now infamous phrase. The oversized navy dress had the 'middle class women of a certain age' slogan written across it in pink letters. She teamed it with a black blazer, black lace tights and matching heels.
Gregg's ill choice of words came after it was announced that 13 people had come forward to say he had made inappropriate sexual comments in the workplace. The historical allegations are said to have been made by people working across a range of shows - not just MasterChef - over a 17-year period.
As well as a statement via his legal representatives, Gregg has also spoken out in social media videos himself, denying the allegations. A statement from MasterChef's production company Banijay UK said Gregg is "committed to fully cooperating throughout the process" during the BBC's investigation process. It added: "While this review is underway, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully cooperating throughout the process. Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately."
Meanwhile, the BBC said it takes any issues that are raised with it “seriously” after it was announced Wallace will step away from his role on MasterChef while complaints made to the corporation from individuals about historical allegations of misconduct are investigated.
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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