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Kirsty Wark made it to the Celebrity MasterChef final in 2011. (Image: BBC)
Kirsty Wark said she would “curl up and die” if she were a professional chef while reflecting on her experience on Celebrity MasterChef. The former Newsnight presenter, 69, made it to the final of the BBC show in 2011 alongside actor Nick Pickard and rugby star Phil Vickery.
It was revealed today that Kirsty is among 13 people who have accused MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace of making inappropriate sexual comments.
Gregg, 60, is stepping away from the show while complaints made to the BBC about historical allegations of misconduct are investigated.
Speaking about her time on the show in a 2011 interview, Kirsty said she “adored it” and was full of praise for John Torode.
However, there was noticeably no mention of Gregg.
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Kirsty Wark has accused Gregg Wallace of making inappropriate sexual comments. (Image: Getty)
She told The Herald: “John Torode is an amazing teacher, especially when it comes to cooking meat. The result was that I learned so much, I can’t tell you.”
While she enjoyed her experience, Kirsty added that it was “one of the most stressful experiences” she’s ever had.
She continued: “I absolutely adored it, it was just the best thing, although it was one of the most stressful experiences I’ve had - though it’s a different kind of stress from presenting Newsnight.
“If I were a chef I think I’d curl up and die.”
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Kirsty Wark is one of 13 complainants about Gregg. (Image: Getty)
The BBC reported today (November 28) that Kirsty has accused Gregg of telling jokes of a "sexualised nature" when she was competing on the show.
She is one of 13 people who have complained to the broadcaster of alleged inappropriate sexual comments made by Wallace across a range of shows over a 17-year period.
Wark told the BBC that on two occasions Wallace relayed stories and jokes of a "sexualised nature" in front of contestants and crew and that she felt they were "really, really in the wrong place".
BBC News said it had 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".
MasterChef’s production company, Banijay UK, confirmed that an external review will investigate the historical allegations.
Gregg Wallace has stepped away from MasterChef. (Image: Getty)
A spokesperson 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 speakupbanijayuk.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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