Disgraced Masterchef judge Gregg Wallace is set for a tell-all interview in response to the damning allegations levelled against him, according to an expert.
A British brand reputation pro has offered his thoughts on the ongoing saga - and says he's "shocked" by how the long-standing TV presenter initially handled the claims. Wallace, 60, faces accusations of making inappropriate sexual remarks and jokes by 13 people over a 17-year period, including a rape joke he allegedly made on set.
He has vehemently denied the allegations and previously took to social media to claim the accusations originated from "middle-class women of a certain age". He has since apologised for "any offence that [he] caused" by these remarks, explaining that he'd felt "under siege".
Senior communications manager Andy Barr, who has decades of experience in the field of crisis comms, has now expressed doubts over Gregg's future going forward in TV. However, he has predicted that the star may well "do some sort of big-ticket media interview, either on television, radio or even the internet."
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Jam Press)Andy, who works at Season One Communications, said: "Whatever comes next, the show needs to find a new presenter quickly if it is to survive. Although the Christmas Special was cancelled, MasterChef is a global brand; it’s bigger than Gregg, and this beloved programme is unlikely to leave the airwaves for good.
"But I’m not sure the same can be said for him. Gregg has taken the public for granted and believed his own hype. The court of public opinion has far wider career ramifications than any legal process."
Reflecting on Gregg's prospects going forward in a video, Andy, 47, expanded: "What next for Gregg Wallace and what next for MasterChef? Well, it seems like Gregg has finally got some professional comms advice because he’s gone quiet.
"That’s what any reputation person would have said to him. Take yourself out of the spotlight, wait for all the allegations to finish and decide if you can plot a comeback. Right now, that doesn’t look too positive. As for MasterChef, they’re a huge global brand – it’s quite straightforward for them.
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Jam Press)"They just need to announce a new presenter, carry on filming, get the shows out there and continue to grow globally. As for Gregg, though, we can expect him to do some sort of big-ticket media interview, either on television, radio or even the internet."
He continued: "He’ll probably try and get his side of events over and then go from there. But it doesn’t look like many media companies want to work with him. He’s proven himself to be a loose cannon who just says what he wants, and that’s not what media companies like. It’s all about the public perception, though. Will the public welcome him back? I very much doubt it right now."
Most recently, a ghostwriter has claimed the MasterChef presenter sexually harassed her while she was working on his 2012 autobiography. Shannon Kyle alleged he touched her bottom during a television appearance while she was writing Wallace’s memoir Life On A Plate.
In another alleged incident, Ms Kyle alleged Wallace gave her “thigh a rub” every time he changed gears in his sports car, she told BBC Newsnight. The writer, who was 35 at the time, also claimed Wallace dropped his towel in front of her after she arrived at his home to work on the book.
A statement from Wallace’s lawyers to BBC News said: "Our client has denied that he has engaged in any such behaviour, and he specifically denies any sexual misconduct with Ms Kyle." Last week Banijay UK, the production company behind MasterChef, announced Wallace would be stepping away from his role on the cooking show after complaints from individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct.
The production company announced an “immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate” and said Wallace was “committed to fully co-operating throughout the process”.
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