Kirsty Wark admits she’s still ‘haunted’ by MasterChef in unearthed comments

Kirsty Wark says Gregg Wallace used 'sexualised language'

Kirsty Wark has said she still feels haunted by her stint on MasterChef . The former Newsnight host was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011.

She got through to the final round, but Phil Vickery (the rugby player) went on to win. When previously asked by The Observer if she was still haunted by her appearance on the show, she replied: "Completely."

And although she was referring to her cooking and whether appearing to be a "Domestic Goddess", it would be over a decade later before she shared her discomfort about MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace's behaviour.

Kirsty has accused Gregg of making inappropriate sexual comments, BBC News reported. She claimed he told "sexualised" jokes during filming of the show. Gregg, 60, has denied making comments of a sexual nature.

Speaking to BBC News in November, she said there were two occasions where he told stories and inapropriate jokes in front of contestants and crew. The broadcaster said she feels strongly that the comments were "really, really in the wrong place".

Kirsty Wark admits she’s still ‘haunted’ by MasterChef (Image: Getty)

The former Newsnight host, who stepped down from her role on the flagship news programme after three decades earlier this year, is one of 13 people, including Kirstie Allsopp, who have told the BBC about inappropriate sexual comments made by Wallace across a range of shows over a 17-year period.

BBC News has reported other allegations, included 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”.

It was announced last month that Gregg would step away from presenting MasterChef while complaints made to the BBC from individuals about historical allegations of misconduct are investigated, the shows production company Banijay UK said.

The company said Gregg "is committed to fully co-operating throughout the process".

The BBC said it takes any issues that are raised "seriously" and won't tolerate unacceptable behaviour. Gregg has co-presented MasterChef alongside John Torode since 2005, as well as its spin-offs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.

After a backlash on social media for his comments dismissing his accusers as "middle-class women of a certain age", the presenter issued a heartfelt apology.

Gregg Wallace has been accused of misconduct (Image: Getty)

In his Instagram video, Gregg expressed remorse, stating: "I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused.

"I wasn't in a good headspace when I posted it, I've been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion, I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it. It's obvious to me I need to take some time out now, while this investigation is under way."

Meanwhile, Gregg has seemingly taken a break from the UK amid ongoing investigations into the misconduct allegations, venturing off on a luxury cruise with his wife Anna.

He shared a snapshot on Instagram, dressed to the nines in a bow tie and flashing a smile as they prepped for an evening of fine dining aboard the luxury Queen Anne vessel.

The couple embarked on an enchanting North Sea and Baltic cruise with Cunard, departing Sunday from Southampton and touching upon Paris, Bruges, Rotterdam, culminating in Hamburg, Germany.

Grace Dent will be taking over Gregg's role as a judge on Celebrity MasterChef. The 51-year-old is set to co-host the landmark 20th series of the show with John Torode.