The ghostwriter who worked on Gregg Wallace's 2012 autobiography has claimed he sexually harassed her.
Shannon Kyle, who was 35 at the time, wrote the MasterChef star's book Life On A Plate. She has now made allegations of sexual misconduct on BBC Newsnight.
Wallace, who has stepped down from hosting MasterChef while an investigation into previous claims happens, has denied all allegations. His lawyers said: "Our client has denied that he has engaged in any such behaviour, and he specifically denies any sexual misconduct with Ms Kyle."
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During an appearance on BBC Newsnight, Kyle claimed Wallace answered the door to her "completely naked, except for a towel around his waist" before he dropped it. She claimed she asked him: "Look, can you just go and get dressed?"
Newsnight asked if the towel drop could have been an accident, by Kyle claimed it was "definitely not". She said: "I felt quite vulnerable because I'm on my own in a flat with a man. He's naked."
At another meeting to work on the book at a restaurant, Kyle claimed Wallace spoke in graphic detail about his sexual exploits. This included, she claimed, him asking her to lick or eat food off certain body parts of his.
Kyle claimed the moment was "obviously designed to cause discomfort of some sort".
She also claimed that when saying goodbye at another meeting, Wallace asked for "a little kiss". She claims she left "in tears" after pushing him off and getting away.
Kyle claims Wallace inappropriately touched her thigh while in a car with him, and she told him to stop. "I started to lose my temper because I really had had enough," she said on BBC Newsnight.
She has described his alleged behaviour as "predatory" and said the recent claims felt like "a long time coming".
Before starting work on the book, Kyle was asked to sign an NDA to cover her "obligations to him of loyalty and confidentiality".
Explaining why she did not speak up at the time, Kyle said: "I was worried about losing the job because I'd given up all the work for this job. So I thought to myself... I'm just going to try and navigate this, [I'll] just try and push on through. It was just really revolting."
In the wake of the allegations against Wallace, the BBC has scrapped plans for two MasterChef Christmas specials. MasterChef: The Professionals continued airing this week as planned.
Wallace's co-host John Torode said the allegations were "truly upsetting". A BBC spokesperson thanked those who "had the courage to speak out".
Banijay UK, the production company behind MasterChef, launched the investigation into Wallace due to their contractual relationship with him.
The BBC said: "He is not employed by the BBC. When issues have been raised with the BBC we have taken action, referring issues to the relevant production company and challenging his behaviour directly as has been widely reported."
The spokesperson added that they hoped the investigation would be completed "rigorously and as swiftly as possible".
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