Ex-Newsnight host Kirsty Wark is among 13 people who have accused Gregg Wallace of making inappropriate sexual comments.
MasterChef presenter Wallace has stepped away from presenting MasterChef as historical alelgations of misconduct are being investigated, the show's production company has said. The 60-year-old has denied making comments of a sexual nature.
Wark, who was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011, has alleged Wallace told jokes of a "sexualised nature" when the BBC cooking show was being filmed. She told BBC News there were two occasions where he told "sexualised" stories and jokes front of contestants and crew.
The broadcaster said she feels strongly that the comments were "really, really in the wrong place". She said she feels people felt "uncomfortable" and that they weren't engaged with the stories, describing it as "one-way traffic".
Wark reached the final of her series of Celebrity MasterChef, losing out to Phil Vickery in the final. The former Newsnight host is one of 13 accusers telling the broadcaster of inappropriate sexual comments made by Wallace across a range of shows over a 17-year period.
BBC News said it had been told of other claims, including that Wallace had been “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, who has launched the investigation, said Wallace is “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process”. A statement read: “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 underway, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChefand is committed to fully cooperating 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.”
Wallace was warned by the BBC after a complaint against him was raised in 2018. Wallace's lawyers have claimed it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.
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