Penny Lancaster has claimed she witnessed and was the victim of bullying and harassment by MasterChef presenter Greg Wallace.
The model and Loose Women actress said she had no idea her husband, Sir Rod Stewart, was planning to accuse Wallace of his actions until she saw the reports. Post to Instagram.
Last month, Mr Stewart claimed the 2021 Celebrity MasterChef host had “humiliated” his wife. It comes after Mr Wallace left the BBC show following a series of allegations while production company Banijay UK investigated allegations of misconduct.
A lawyer for Wallace, 60, strongly denied that he was sexually harassing her.
On Thursday, Ms Lancaster told ITV's Loose Women: And of course, as you can imagine, we were flooded with inquiries.
“I definitely witnessed and was a victim of some of Greg Wallace's bullying and harassing behavior, and unfortunately many people involved with the production team witnessed it as well. I truly feel that he used his position of power to: I believe, intimidate and cause pain to many people on set.
“And it's really unfortunate that someone like him is allowed to get away with this while others stand by and let it happen at the same time.”
She further added that she was shocked by her husband's post, which also read: You are a fat, bald, badly behaved bully. I understand karma. ”
“It felt like a little bit of validation that something was out there going back to things like MeToo,” said Lancaster, 53. [movement]it's shocking to think how many women are affected… [men] They are in a powerful position and are too scared to speak up.
“They don't feel like they're going to be supported or heard at that point, so it can be years before someone comes forward. It gives people who are suffering the confidence to come forward.”
BBC bosses have previously said the company will not tolerate “behavior that falls below the standards we expect” and will continue to champion a “culture of kindness, inclusiveness and respect”.
A memo sent to staff by BBC director-general Tim Davie and chief content officer Charlotte Moore said the BBC would support the Banijay UK investigation.
Mr Wallace apologized last week, claiming he had received complaints about his behavior from “a small number of middle-class women of a certain age”, adding that he would be “taking a break”.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is thought to be considering strengthening the legal powers of a new independent body and imposing new standards on the creative industries.
Mr Nandy said after Wednesday's meeting that he was prepared to challenge the area if the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) did not receive adequate support.
A Department spokesperson said: “The Culture Secretary was having a constructive conversation with those in attendance and this will lead to continued discussions on how the Government can support CIISA as it seeks to introduce new standards of conduct across the industry. I hope this will be the beginning of a dialogue.”
