Entertainment
Strictly Come Dancing ‘faced complaints about Gregg Wallace’s sexual comments 10 years ago’-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro
He was the first celebrity eliminated in the 2014 season.
Gregg Wallace was the ‘subject of a complaints about his lewd behaviour’ on Strictly Come Dancing (Picture: PA)
The BBC reportedly allowed Gregg Wallace to stay on Strictly Come Dancing a decade ago despite ‘receiving complaints about his lewd behaviour’.
The MasterChef presenter, 60, stepped down from that series last week after it was announced the national broadcaster was investigating historical allegations of misconduct against him.
Wallace has been accused by 13 people who have worked with him over the years of making inappropriate sexual comments while three women have also come forward with allegations that the presenter groped them in different incidents on and off set.
Soon after footage resurfaced showing Wallace declaring to his Strictly partner Aliona Vilani that he wasn’t wearing underwear during a rehearsal.
It’s now been claimed that complaints were made against his behaviour on Strictly during his appearance in 2014, but he was allowed to continue competing.
At least one member of the long-running series is said to have made the situation clear to bosses had ‘had meetings’ with them over Wallace’s behaviour early into filming that season.
The MasterChef star competed on the 2014 season with dancer Aliona Vilani (Picture: BBC/ Ray Burmiston)
However, Wallace was permitted to stay on the show, before becoming the first celebrity eliminated in the second week, as reported by The Sun.
‘The situation around his behaviour was made very clear to Strictly staff,’ a show insider told the publication.
‘It included sexual comments which made people feel incredibly uncomfortable. It created a very strained atmosphere backstage.
He was the first celebrity eliminated (Picture: Ken McKay/ ITV/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
They added: ‘In the end, Wallace remained on the show but not for much longer, given he was eliminated so quickly.’
Meanwhile another source questioned why Wallace was allowed to stay on the show, adding it was ‘one of the many questions the BBC must now answer’.
In a statement to Metro, a BBC spokesperson said: ‘Whilst we do not comment on individuals, 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.’
Wallace has stepped down from MasterChef after an investigation into his behaviour was announced (Picture: BBC/ Shine TV)
During his time on the show Wallace only performed once with Aliona, now 40, who left the series after winning the 2015 season with The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness.
Wallace previously said he ‘hated’ his experience on Strictly and suggested his dance partner didn’t like him.
‘I love dancing, but if I were paired with somebody who liked me then I would have done better,’ he told OK! Magazine in 2021.
Following their elimination Aliona also shared more than 60 Twitter comments from fans claiming she should have been given a better partner.
Metro has contacted representatives for Gregg Wallace for comment.
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