BBC MasterChef presenter ‘steps away’ over allegations of misconduct

Gregg Wallace has “stepped away” from his role as a MasterChef presenter after the BBC began an inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct following an investigation by The Telegraph newspaper.

Allegations of “inappropriate” behaviour by the television presenter towards women on the set of the BBC show are being examined.

UK MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace has stepped down pending an investigation into his conduct.

The inquiry began after a woman told her story to The Telegraph and made a formal complaint to the broadcaster about incidents that took place over a decade ago.

The Telegraph has been investigating allegations concerning Wallace’s behaviour for more than four months and contacted the BBC two weeks ago for comment.

This newspaper has spoken to more than 20 people who have alleged inappropriate behaviour by the presenter on MasterChef, with others raising concerns regarding other BBC programs.

Allegations have included Wallace making sexist and offensive jokes, talking about his sex life, taking his top off in front of junior female staff and making comments about their bodies.

It is the latest sex scandal to engulf the BBC. Earlier this year, the broadcaster faced questions over its conduct in the case of Huw Edwards, the newsreader found guilty of making indecent images of children.

The Telegraph understands that the complaint against Wallace which is being investigated involves a former member of the production team.

It is understood that the former colleague claimed the presenter held her head and thrust his body towards her, mimicking a sex act, when she was kneeling in front of him cleaning a mark off his trousers.

The Telegraph has spoken to one person who is said to have witnessed the alleged incident, and understands they have also spoken to the BBC.

The complaint also alleges that Wallace walked into the MasterChef studio “completely naked except for a sock pulled over his penis” before doing a “silly dance”. Two other members of the production team witnessed this alleged incident, and both have told The Telegraph they saw what had allegedly occurred.

The complainant has also alleged that Wallace was “very touchy-feely” and made “disgusting sex-related jokes”.

The Telegraph understands that the broadcaster has also been contacted by at least two other women about making complaints regarding Wallace’s conduct on MasterChef.

Allegations include that he made lewd sexual comments in front of production staff and of inappropriate behaviour.

Sir Rod Stewart has accused Wallace of “humiliating” the singer’s wife, Penny Lancaster, when she appeared on Celebrity MasterChef.Credit: nna\jabi

The accusations are now being examined and – if proven – could end the career of one of the BBC’s biggest names.

On Thursday night, Wallace said in a short Instagram video: “I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reaching out and showing their support.

“It’s good of you, thank you very much.”

Banijay UK, the production company which makes MasterChef for the BBC, said it was conducting “an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate”. It is understood that a legal firm is conducting the investigation.

On Thursday (Friday AEDT), celebrities who have appeared on the show also spoke of concerns about Wallace’s behaviour.

Ulrika Jonsson, a former contestant on Celebrity MasterChef, said that when she was on the program Wallace apologised after making a “joke” about rape.

Although Jonsson did not hear the joke herself, she said that when another contestant walked off the set, she was told what had happened.

TV host Kirsty Wark alleges Wallace used “sexualised language” in front of people on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.Credit: Getty Images

Banijay UK said: “Any incidences brought to our attention … are escalated and dealt with thoroughly and appropriately.”

It is understood that the alleged incident was not reported to the company at the time.

Sir Rod Stewart accused Wallace of “humiliating” his wife, Penny Lancaster, when she appeared on the same show.

He described the host as a “tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully” and added: “good riddance”.

On Thursday, BBC News broadcast an interview with television presenter Kirsty Wark in which she said there were “two occasions” when Wallace “used sexualised language in front of a number of people” when she appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.

BBC News also reported that it had sent a letter to Wallace’s representatives on Tuesday setting out allegations of inappropriate sexual comments by 13 people who worked with him across a range of shows over a 17-year period.

Former BBC news presenter Huw Edwards in September, after being spared prison for accessing indecent images of children.Credit: Getty Images

The broadcaster said it was aware of claims across five shows from between 2005 and 2022.

It is the latest in a series of allegations surrounding inappropriate behaviour at the corporation.

This year, the BBC faced questions about its treatment of whistleblowers regarding the conduct of newsreader Huw Edwards, who has since been sentenced for making indecent images of children.

Following his conviction, the broadcaster said it was launching a review of its workplace culture, focusing on “preventing abuse of power and ensuring everyone at the BBC conducts themselves in line with our values”.

Wallace’s lawyers told BBC News that allegations he engaged in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature were entirely false.

The Telegraph contacted Wallace, the BBC and Banijay UK two weeks ago for comment.

It is understood that the BBC passed on details of the complaint to Banijay UK.

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.”

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.

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

Wallace has faced previous allegations during his career.

Last year, he quit another BBC program, Inside the Factory, over “inappropriate comments made to staff”.

Earlier this year, it also emerged the presenter was previously investigated by the BBC in 2018 after he was accused of “inappropriate sexual comments”.

He was alleged to have boasted about his sex life and taken his top off in front of a woman.

Wallace responded on social media at the time, saying the story “was investigated promptly when it happened six years ago by the BBC and the outcome of that was that I hadn’t said anything sexual”.

The Telegraph, UK

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