Jack Whitehall leaves BBC presenters speechless at Gregg Wallace jab-Joel Harley-Entertainment – Metro

Comedian Jack Whitehall left the hosts of The One Show speechless as he unleashed a series of jabs directed at Gregg Wallace in tonight’s episode.

Jack, 36, was on the BBC news show to promote his latest Holiday special, Jack In Time for Christmas.

However, his interview with presenters Roman Kemp and Alex Jones was derailed as he couldn’t resist taking a number of potshots at MasterChef host Gregg Wallace – who has been accused of groping three women amid an ongoing investigation into claims of misconduct.

Talking about the involvement of Christmas crooner Michael Buble in his film, Jack described how it had given him the opportunity ‘to do something that is good to appeal to a different audience.’

Jack went on to describe his new viewers as ‘a demographic I think is much maligned but one that I love, but is middle-class women of a certain age.’

This comes as Wallace, 60, provoked fresh outrage by dismissing those accusing him of misconduct as ‘middle-class women of a certain age.’

Jack made the joke while promoting his new Christmas film (Picture: BBC)

Alex attempted to sweep the joke under the rug (Picture: BBC)

Leaving Roman and Alex aghast, Jack continued: ‘I absolutely love them. They love a bit of Michael Buble. I got him on the show, he is an absolute granny magnet.

‘I love that we’re given this lovely gift to middle-class women of a certain age,’ he added.

‘We will move past that,’ said Alex, who had attempted to laugh off the first reference by playing it off as a joke.

Jack described Michael Buble’s fans as ‘middle-class women of a certain age’ (Picture: BBC)

Jack’s jabs continued later in the episode, as he disrupted an interview with Bollywood stars Amir Khan and Kiran Rao to make another joke at Wallace’s expense.

‘And it appeals to middle-class lost ladies of a certain age, which I like,’ Jack said of their film – Lost Ladies.

‘Yes it does Jack, yes it does,’ Alex sighed, before playing a clip from the film.

Viewers were divided as to how funny Jack’s jokes actually were (Picture: BBC)

Reaction to Jack’s sniping was mixed, with many unimpressed by his attempts to remain topical.

Am I hearing things or did Jack Whitehall just say on @BBCTheOneShow
that a demographic he loves and that is much neglected is middle-aged, middle-class women?!’ asked RachelK01840150.

‘Oh dear, Jack, just leave the Greg Wallace references alone, will you?’ wrote mwtucker76.

‘The Gregg Wallace joke, awkward,’ said realseanslater.

‘Loved Jack’s comment about “women of a certain age”, he’s so risqué 🤣’ laughed MumofLolaPup.

‘Enjoying Jack Whitehall’s references to appealing to middle class women of a certain age on the one show,’ agreed cheeseheaders.

Gregg Wallace has stepped back from presenting MasterChef while an investigation takes place (Picture: BBC)

Over the weekend, the judge posted a video claiming that complaints being made against him were ‘coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age’.

He said: ‘I’ve been doing MasterChef for 20 years, amateur, celebrity and professional MasterChef, and in that time, I have worked with over 4,000 contestants of all different ages, different backgrounds, all walks of life.

‘Apparently now, I’m reading in the paper, there’s been 13 complaints in that time.

‘In the newspaper, I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age, just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn’t right.’

Wallace issued an apology this morning for the post, saying that he had been ‘under stress’ at the time.

Posting to his Instagram, the television personality said: ‘I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people.

‘I wasn’t in a good head space when I posted it. I’ve been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion, I felt very alone, under siege when I posted it.’

He continued: ‘It’s obvious to me I need to take some time out now while this investigation is underway.

‘I hope you understand and I do hope that you will accept this apology.’

Wallace issued an apology for his comments (Picture: Gregg Wallace/Instagram)

Last week, it emerged that Wallace was facing historical accusations of misconduct, which are now under investigation.

BBC News reported that the TV personality was accused of making inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a 17-year period accross several shows. It was also alleged that he ‘mimicked sex acts’ and walked around the studio almost ‘completely naked’.

The allegations are being investigated by Banijay UK, the production company behind MasterChef. Meanwhile, the BBC has stressed that it took any issues that are raised ‘seriously’.

Wallace’s lawyers have claimed it is ‘entirely false’ he engages in a ‘behaviour of a sexually harassing nature’.

Wallace has denied all allegations, including those made by Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark (Picture: BBC)

In a statement about the allegations, Banijay stated: ‘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.’

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