TV presenter Gregg Wallace, who has stepped away from MasterChef following claims he made inappropriate sexual comments, took to social media to post a blunt message
14:26, 30 Nov 2024Updated 14:31, 30 Nov 2024
Gregg Wallace posted a rather strange social media update following claims made against him.
The 60-year-old MasterChef presenter has stepped away from the BBC cooking show while an investigation into historic allegations against him takes place. He has been accused by 13 people of making inappropriate sexual comments across several shows over a 17-year period.
Wallace took to his Instagram Stories on Saturday (November) to post a picture of Costa Coffee's gingerbread latte. The caption read: "Enjoy your weekend".
READ MORE: Gregg Wallace steps down as MasterChef host amid complaints investigation
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Gregg previously addressed fans following the allegations in a video message posted on Instagram, thanking them for their support. He said: "I would like to thank all the people for getting in touch, reaching out, and sharing their support. That's good of you. Thank you very much."
Banijay UK, MasterChef's production company, said Wallace would be "stepping away" from MasterChef while it conducted “an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate” the claims made against him. Wallace has denied making inappropriate sexual comments.
MasterChef’s production company, Banijay UK say Wallace is "committed to fully co-operating" with an external review. A statement 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." 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."
A 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."
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