A resurfaced clip from Gregg Wallace's time on Strictly Come Dancing shows Aliona Vilani saying that she felt "distressed" after he said that he doesn't wear underwear.
Gregg, now 60, was partnered with professional dancer Aliona, now 40, when he competed on the BBC show in 2014. They were the first pair to be voted out of the twelfth series, with Gregg only getting to perform two routines.
The presenter - known for hosting MasterChef - and Aliona were featured on companion show It Takes Two during the series. Footage that has resurfaced this week shows the pair in rehearsals together for Strictly in which Aliona says that she feels "distressed" over an interaction with Gregg.
The footage shows Gregg seemingly split his trousers whilst rehearsing, with Aliona saying that there was a "bit of a wardrobe malfunction". After the incident, Gregg says: "I tell you something else as well, I don't wear underwear."
Aliona responds "yeah, yeah," before Gregg assures that it's "true". His dance partner then questions: "Are you for real?" Gregg reacts: "No, I'm for real, yeah." He then goes on to comment: "It's easier to move ... I've never worn underwear." Aliona is heard saying "woah," as Gregg adds: "I wear socks." Seemingly unimpressed, Aliona says in a piece to camera later in the video: "I'm just way too distressed about the whole situation."
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BBC Strictly Come Dancing/Youtube)The video - shared on Strictly's YouTube channel at the time - then shows Gregg walking backwards in the rehearsal studio, with one hand behind his back. Aliona is heard saying in the background: "Oh my god, oh my god, put it away". It's however unclear what, if anything, she was referring to.
The next clip sees Gregg declare: "I haven't worn a pair of pants since I was about 17 years old, I don't think." He's subsequently heard saying to the camera: "What worries me now is that I'm gonna be the butt of everybody's jokes."
The footage has resurfaced this week following the news that Gregg has stepped away from his role on MasterChef whilst production company Banijay UK review apparent historical misconduct complaints. He's said to be "committed to fully cooperating throughout the process". As BBC News reported, his lawyers say that 'it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature'.
It was reported on Thursday that Gregg would be leaving MasterChef while allegations from 13 people that he made inappropriate sexual comments are investigated. The claims are said to have been made by people working across a range of shows over a 17-year period.
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BBC Strictly Come Dancing/Youtube)In a statement, Banijay UK 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."
The company continued: "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 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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