Entertainment
Gregg Wallace drops out of BBC’s MasterChef after allegations of misconduct-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro
He is ‘committed to fully cooperating throughout the process’.
Gregg Wallace is ‘committed to fully cooperating throughout the process’ (Picture: BBC/Shine TV)
Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef as the BBC investigates historical allegations of misconduct.
The broadcaster said it had received complaints from people who had worked on the 60-year-old about his behaviour and are taking them ‘seriously.’
Wallace will not present the long-running cooking show while the investigation is underway and is ‘committed to fully cooperating throughout the process’.
MasterChef’s producer Banijay also said it was conducting its own ‘immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate’ the claims after complaints were raised to the BBC.
Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Wallace will transmit as planned, PA understands.
Last month, Wallace denied making ‘sexual comments’ to a female staff member on BBC show Impossible Celebrities in 2018.
It had been claimed the broadcaster made the ‘inappropriate’ comments and took his top off in front of an employee while working on the show.
Wallace is stepping away from MasterChef while the investigation is underway (Picture: BBC/Shine TV)
The BBC said it was investigating historical allegations of misconduct (Picture: BBC/Shine TV)
Wallace said on Instagram the BBC investigated the allegations six years ago and that his comments were ‘found not to be sexual.’
In March, Wallace dropped out of presenting BBC show Inside The Factory, which came after allegations of ‘derogatory banter’ and ‘being rude towards staff.’
He addressed the claims on Good Morning Britain and admitted there was an ‘argument’ but denied ‘offending people.’
Today, the BBC revealed a ‘robust’ investigation had been launched into Wallace’s conduct.
A BBC spokesperson has told the PA news agency: ‘We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.
Wallace stepped away from Inside The Factory earlier this year after allegations (Picture: BBC/Voltage TV/Simon Hanna)
‘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.’
Production company Banijay, which said it did not receive any complaints directly, has also begun a probe into Wallace’s behaviour.
The firm’s statement 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 underway, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and 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.’
The statement added: ‘If anyone would like to talk to us or raise any issues or concerns, then they can contact speakup@banijayuk.com in confidence.’
Wallace has co-presented MasterChef alongside John Torode since 2005, as well as its spin-offs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.
He was the original presenter of the BBC show Saturday Kitchen in 2002 and has also featured on Eat Well For Less, Inside The Factory, Turn Back Time, Harvest and Supermarket Secrets.
In 2022, Wallace as recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to food and charity.
Wallace took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 and was partnered with Aliona Vilani.
He has two children, Tom and Libby, from a former relationship. He married Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2016 and the couple have a son called Sid.
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