A TV chef tipped to be taking over from Gregg Wallace on MasterChef has slammed the "disingenuous" and "ridiculous" response to the recent scandal.
Wallace recently stepped down as a judge on the beloved culinary programme pending the outcome of a BBC investigation into a series of allegations of inappropriate sexual comments and behaviour.
He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, with his legal representatives stating: "It is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature."
Meanwhile, Andi Oliver, a chef who is best known for her appearance on the Great British Menu, told the Mail that people should "not be too melodramatic" about the ongoing situation.
Andi, who the Mail's Richard Eden said was being "tipped to replace Wallace", said: "The thing to do is not be too melodramatic about it. Gregg Wallace is not the only person who's been given a licence to behave in ways that are inappropriate. And for everybody to pretend that he is a kind of lone wolf is disingenuous and a bit ridiculous, really."
Andi went on to say that we should be ensuring that environments are "good, productive, safe spaces", rather than "wanging on" about the former greengrocer.
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Getty Images Europe)The Daily Mail's Alison Boshoff previously reported MasterChef bosses were keen for Andy or critic Grace Dent to partner John on the next series of the show.
The BBC initially reported that the allegations involved 13 people over 17 years. Last week, however, it also revealed that Wallace faced additional allegations, with the broadcaster also pulling the MasterChef Christmas specials.
Banijay UK, the show's production firm, said it was "committed to fully co-operating" with the review. Meanwhile, remarks previously made about Wallace by celebrity chef Marcus Wareing have resurfaced, although he hadn't commented on the allegations as of last week.
Speaking before the 15th series of The Professionals in 2023, he said: "If it was just me and Monica, then we're good at predicting the winner, but because Gregg is in the mix, it f***s it all up a bit. We have times where we do disagree but everyone's entitled to their point of view."
Andi isn't the only person linked to the MasterChef gig, as Robert Walton, a restaurateur and president of the Restaurant Association, previously told the Mail he's a "safe pair of hands".
The 'godfather of hospitality' explained that he didn't know Wallace but was familiar with his co-star, John Torode. He also said he was keen to work on TV and "can deliver".
In a surprising twist to the proceedings, a more unlikely contender for the job has thrown his hat into the ring, the legendary rapper Snoop Dogg, who exclusively told the Mirror you "better believe" he could be the new judge.
“You better believe Snoop could be the new MasterChef judge,” said the Drop It Like It’s Hot star. “My boy Gordon [Ramsay] judges on the US version of the show, and I know he would back me to be able to judge on the UK version.
English (US) ·