'There are many more who go around behaving like Gregg Wallace,' Andi Oliver says

Great British Menu host Andi Oliver has called out the 'fake outrage' over Gregg Wallace's scandal as she claims 'everyone knew' and there are 'tonnes of others who behave badly'

TV chef Andi Oliver has said we need to "actually implement change" instead of having "fake outrage" amid the Gregg Wallace scandal.

The MasterChef host stepped away from the BBC show amid claims of his behaviour from 13 people over a 17 year period. Wallace, 60, has denied allegations of inappropriate sexual comments he is said to have made. Production company Banijay UK are externally reviewing the historical misconduct complaints and Wallace is “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process”.

Great British Menu host Andi, who had been speculated as a possible replacement for Wallace on MasterChef, claimed there are “tonnes of others who go around behaving badly” in the industry. She told the Guardian she was “not surprised” by the allegations being made about Wallace, which include making “inappropriate sexual jokes” and sexual harassment.

Wallace’s lawyers previously told the BBC “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”. Andi added: “There’s a certain culture that allows it to happen. Somebody should have nipped that s**t in the bud a long time ago. It’s not like nobody knew it was happening. I heard stuff. Everyone did. And there are tonnes of others who go around behaving badly.”

Andi, who was first a judge and later became the host of Great British Menu, added: “But culture will only change if we stop all the fake outrage and actually implement change. Thousands of people shouting about Gregg Wallace on Twitter doesn’t interest me. What does is whether we remember this in six months, or will there be more fake shock and outrage when it happens all over again with the next person whose antics were an open secret?”

Andi revealed people have been asking her if she is going to join the MasterChef team to which she replied: “I can’t talk about that.” It was announced earlier this month that restaurant critic Grace Dent will judge the next series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside John Torode.

Author and podcaster Grace has appeared regularly as a guest on MasterChef, and last year was a contestant on MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics. BBC bosses previously said the corporation will not “tolerate behaviour that falls below the standards we expect” and will continue to champion “a culture that is kind, inclusive and respectful”.

A memo sent to staff by the BBC director-general, Tim Davie, and Charlotte Moore, chief content officer, said the corporation would be supporting MasterChef producer Banijay UK in its investigation. Earlier this month, Banijay UK said in a statement: “It is important to note that MasterChef welfare processes are regularly adapted and strengthened and there are clear protocols to support both crew and contributors.

“These include multiple ways of reporting issues, including anonymously. HR contact details are promoted and contributors are assigned a point of contact on set available to discuss any issues or concerns.”

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