TV presenter Greg Wallace has resigned from his role on MasterChef after the BBC received complaints about alleged misconduct.
Presenter Kirsty Wark, who was a contestant on Celebrity Masterchef in 2011, claimed Wallace made “sexual” jokes during filming. According to a BBC News investigation, Wallace faces allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people he worked with on various shows over a 17-year period.
Mr Wark, a former Newsnight presenter, told BBC News that Mr Wallace twice told stories and jokes of a “sexual nature” in front of contestants and staff during early morning filming. Ta. She said she felt strongly that the comments were “really, really in the wrong place.”
“There were two instances in particular where he used sexual language in front of a number of people, but no one else was involved in this,” she said. “It was completely one-way, but I think people were uncomfortable; [it was] Something that I really didn't expect happened. ”
Some sources say Wallace has spoken candidly about his sex life, removed his top in front of female employees to “put on a fashion show,” and once told a junior female colleague that he wasn't wearing boxers. Shorts under jeans.
BBC News launched an investigation in the summer after becoming aware of Mr Wallace's allegations and said it had heard allegations relating to five programs from 2005 to 2022.
Lawyers for Ms Wallace, who has co-hosted the popular BBC One cooking show with John Torode since 2005, said allegations of sexual harassment were completely false.
Rod Stewart, whose wife Penny Lancaster appeared on Celebrity Masterchef in 2021, took to his Instagram account late Thursday to comment on Wallace's exit from the show. Stewart called Wallace a “fat, bald, badly behaved bully” and said Wallace humiliated his wife.
He writes: [sic] Wallace is fired from MasterChef. Great, Wallace…when you were on the show, you humiliated my wife, and you cut that part out, right? You're a fat, bald, badly behaved bully. I understand karma. Sir Rod Stewart. ”
MasterChef production company Banijay UK said the investigation had been launched after the BBC received complaints about Mr Wallace's behavior, adding that Mr Wallace, 60, “will cooperate fully throughout the process”.
“During this review, Greg Wallace has stepped away from his role at MasterChef and is committed to cooperating fully throughout the process,” the statement said. Banijay UK's duty of care towards staff is always paramount and our expectations regarding behavior are made clear to both cast and staff on all productions, and you can raise concerns in multiple ways, including anonymously. It is clearly advertised on set. ”
The company said that while the allegations had not been raised directly with the company, it felt it was “appropriate to immediately conduct an external investigation to conduct a full and impartial investigation.” Anyone with any issues or concerns can feel free to contact speakup@banijayuk.com.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We have always been clear that we will not tolerate behavior that falls below the standards expected by the BBC. Where individuals work directly with external production companies, we will share any complaints or concerns with them. and will always support you in dealing with them.”
Ulrika Jonsson also claimed that Wallace had to apologize for making a rape joke while filming an episode of Celebrity Masterchef in 2017.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the Swedish-born TV presenter said other contestants had complained about the alleged comments and the issue had been raised with management staff on site. Wallace later apologized “with tears in his eyes,” the newspaper said. This incident was not reported to Banijay.
BBC News also said Mr Wallace was given a warning by the BBC after a complaint in 2018, alleging there were further incidents. In October, Wallace denied claims he had bragged about his sex life to a young female BBC employee, taking off his top in front of her and saying he had no intention of “cheating” or “picking up” other women. said.
He said on Instagram at the time that the allegations were swiftly investigated when they were raised by the BBC six years ago. He said: “As a result, I didn't say anything sexual. I need to repeat this again. I said nothing sexual. Contrary to what the newspapers suggest, 6 Years ago, no one would accuse me of flirting with anyone or attacking anyone.”
The pre-recorded “MasterChef: The Professionals” featuring Wallace will air as scheduled on Thursday, with the series confirmed to continue into December.
BBC launches independent program review It announced a review of its workplace culture in October after a series of damaging scandals at the broadcaster raised questions about how it would prevent abuse by people working there.
