MasterChef UK star steps down amid investigation into alleged misconduct

One of the UK’s best-known TV presenters has been axed - and Rod Stewart has released an extraordinary statement gloating about it.

High-profile British TV star Gregg Wallace has stepped down from his role on MasterChef UK amid an investigation into allegations of misconduct.

The Sun revealed how Gregg, 60, previously came under fire after “inappropriate sexual comments” were reportedly made to a female BBC staffer on its program, Impossible Celebrities.

He was also accused of being rude and insulting to women on a third show in 2023.

In an extraordinary statement, veteran rocker Sir Rod Stewart penned a post on Instagram gloating about Wallace losing his job.

“So Greg Wallace gets fired from MasterChef. Good riddance Wallace... You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out didn’t you? You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya.”

Rod Stewart appeared very happy with the news.

He labelled Wallace a “bully.”

Stewart’s wife, Penny Lancaster, competed on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021.

MasterChef host Wallace has now stepped away from the hit cooking series while an investigation into alleged misconduct is carried out.

Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Gregg will still be shown as planned despite the development.

MasterChef production company Banijay UK said the BBC had received complaints this week in relation to “historical allegations” of misconduct.

MasterChef UK star Gregg Wallace has stepped down from his role.

It is understood individuals had made the claims while working with Gregg on MasterChef.

Banjay UK has now launched its own “immediate, external review” into his so-called behaviour.

The company said: “While this review is underway, 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.

“While these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.”

The Sun previously reported that Gregg first landed himself in hot water with BBC bosses in 2018 for taking off his top and bragging about romps.

He was hauled into a meeting accused of making “inappropriate sexual comments” to a female staffer on BBC game show Impossible Celebrities.

Then in 2023, he was accused of being rude to women while working on BBC’s Inside The Factory.

It followed a series of scandals that had plagued the organisation – including former British newsreader Huw Edwards’ child sex crimes and a bullying probe into UK’s Strictly Come Dancing.

After the complaints were raised, Gregg admitted he had made comments but denied they were sexual.

Wallace after being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2023. Picture: Andrew Matthews - Pool/Getty

He also emphasised that he loved his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, who he wed in 2016.

The TV star said: “With reference to what’s in the newspapers, these allegations were investigated by the BBC six years ago.

“The allegations were investigations six years ago and my comments were found to be not sexual.

“I repeat, not sexual. Thank you everybody for your time.

“I don’t want anybody to misunderstand this and make it look like I was flirting with somebody. Nobody accused me of that and I never have.”

Last year, Gregg was also accused of being rude and insulting to women on TV show Inside The Factory.

At the time, he said he had quit as host of the BBC series to focus on his autistic son, Sid.

A BBC spokesman 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.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as MasterChef UK star steps down amid investigation into alleged misconduct