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Gregg Wallace has stepped down as MasterChef presenter amid a BBC probe (Image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Gregg Wallace has dominated the media this week after he stepped down as presenter of BBC show MasterChef due to ongoing investigations into misconduct allegations.
The 60-year-old TV presenter from Peckham, London, has exited role after claims surfaced regarding historical allegations of misconduct. Wallace has presented MasterChef alongside John Torode since 2005, as well as its spin-offs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.
Kirsty Wark, the former host of Newsnight is among 13 people who have accused the MasterChef presenter of making inappropriate sexual comments, as reported by BBC News. She was on MasterChef back in 2011 and has claimed that Wallace told “jokes of a sexualised nature" on two occasions during filming.
Wallace's lawyers say "it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature".
The probe means Gregg Wallace has been trending online, and many couldn't help remember one of the TV star's savage X (formerly Twitter) exchanges as the news came out.
Wallace has presented MasterChef alongside John Torode since 2005 (Image: BBC/Shine TV/Des Willie)
Journalist Jay Motty, took to the X under his @JayMotty handle to share a screenshot of the Twitter messages, writing: "Seeing Gregg Wallace trending reminds me of one of the all time great Twitter exchanges."
The unearthed tweet saw a man called Nick Holder write: "GreggAWallace Hi Greg, I am cycling just over 180 miles in 2 days for Macmillan Cancer Support. Any chance of an RT?"
Instead of replying to the man's message about his worthwhile cause, Gregg bluntly questioned how the man had spelt his name, writing: "Gregg?"
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Nick replied at the time: "No worries mate, it's only people with cancer. You worry about your extra G."
A statement from MasterChef's production company Banijay UK to PA news agency says Wallace is “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process” of the probe.
Kirsty has said Wallace's alleged jokes happened when crew and other contestants were present. She claims Wallace’s alleged remarks were "really, really in the wrong place".
BBC News said it had also been told of other allegations, including the presenter “talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to ‘give her a fashion show’, and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans”.
Wallace is reportedly “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process” of the probe (Image: BBC)
The statement announcing the investigation 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 underway, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully cooperating 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 BBC said it takes any issues that are raised with it “seriously” after it was announced Wallace will step away from his MasterChef role 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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