Gregg Wallace was spotted for the first time since news he was stepping away from his role on MasterChef.
The 60-year-old TV star was seen outside of his home in Ashford, Kent on Thursday (November 28) after it emerged historical alleations of misconduct are being investigated by MasterChef's production company. Wallace has denied making inappropriate sexual comments towards women.
He has been accused by 13 people of making inappropriate sexual comments across several shows over a 17-year period. This includes ex-Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, who alleges he told jokes of a "sexualised nature" on two occasions when she was a contestant on MasterChef in 2011.
Banijay UK, MasterChef's production company, said it was conducting “an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate” the claims made against the presenter.
It said: “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.”
The company said Wallace is “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process”. A statement read: “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.”
Wallace was warned by the BBC after a complaint against him was raised in 2018. Wallace's lawyers have claimed it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.
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."
Wallace has been co-host of MasterChef with John Torode since 2005. He has also worked on shows such as Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals, Eat Well for Less?, Inside the Factory and Time Commanders.
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