Gregg Wallace, the presenter of MasterChef, is facing multiple allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior following his recent decision to step down from the show. These allegations, which surfaced after an investigation by BBC News, include claims from several women who worked with Wallace on different projects.
One of the women, referred to as Lisa, alleges that Wallace touched her inappropriately during the filming of Eat Well For Less in 2015, when he brushed past her and touched her in a way that made her uncomfortable. Another woman, Anna, claims that during her time working on MasterChef in 2015, she entered Wallace’s dressing room to adjust his bow tie and found him with his trousers partially lowered, exposing himself. Anna says she left the room immediately, but did not report the incident further at the time, fearing repercussions early in her career.
In addition to these allegations, another woman, Sarah, recounts an incident in 2022 when Wallace allegedly groped her during an after-event interaction. She describes the encounter as completely unsolicited and unpleasant, which left her unable to watch him on TV since.
The BBC has decided to pull its MasterChef Christmas specials, with the production company Banijay UK stating they are conducting an investigation into the allegations. Wallace’s legal team has strongly denied the accusations, asserting that he does not engage in sexually harassing behavior.
Wallace has publicly apologized for a previous social media post in which he downplayed the number of allegations, calling them “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age.” This comment sparked backlash, including criticism from a Downing Street spokesperson who described the remark as “inappropriate and misogynistic.” Wallace later apologized for the post, explaining that he had been under significant emotional stress and felt isolated at the time.
As the investigation into the allegations continues, Wallace has indicated that he will take time out from public appearances. While some colleagues and former contestants have spoken positively about their experiences working with him, the ongoing investigation by Banijay UK and the BBC aims to address the serious allegations and ensure a thorough review of the situation.