Gregg Wallace denied that he said "anything sexual" while appearing on a BBC show more than half a decade ago.
The MasterChef UK judge, 59, announced he was stepping down from his role as the BBC probe misconduct claims. In October, Gregg responded to reports that there was an alleged incident in 2018 when he appeared on Impossible Celebrities, which was investigated by the BBC.
In an Instagram post, Wallace said: "The story that's hitting the newspapers this morning was investigated promptly when it happened six years ago by the BBC. And the outcome of that was that I hadn't said anything sexual. I'll need to repeat this again. I didn't say anything sexual."
He previously fronted Inside The Factory before saying last year that he would step away to take care of his autistic and non-verbal son, Sid, who he shares with wife Anne-Marie Sterpini.
In another video, the former greengrocer said: "Despite what the newspapers are suggesting nobody six years ago accused me of flirting with anybody or hitting on anybody. And the reason I say this is because of my wife Anna. I have always been true to my wife Anna and have never flirted or hit on anybody in the 12 years that I met her and fell in love with her. And it's important that, so that people don't misunderstand that, that I am true to my wife."
A BBC spokesman said at the time: "Whilst we do not comment on individuals, if issues are raised they are dealt with swiftly and appropriately at the time." We do not tolerate any form of inappropriate behaviour and have robust processes in place."
Wallace has two children, Tom and Libby, from a former relationship. He co-wrote Gregg's Italian Family Cookbook with Ms Sterpini.
Image:
Instagram)Image:
Joe Pepler/REX/Shutterstock)The original presenter of Saturday Kitchen has featured on various BBC shows including Eat Well For Less, Supermarket Secrets, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals, as well as being a Strictly Come Dancing contestant in 2014.
Today it was revealed that Gregg Wallace will step away from presenting MasterChef while complaints made to the BBC from individuals about historical allegations of misconduct are investigated
A statement from the show’s production company Banijay UK to the PA news agency 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
“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 speakup@banijayuk.com in confidence.”
Episodes of MasterChef: The professionals are said to continue as normal.
English (US) ·