Masterchef star is facing accusations about his alleged behaviour but today hit back at those making claims against him
Masterchef star Gregg Wallace has responded to allegations against him by hitting out at his accusers. The television personality has claimed that the accusations have come from ‘middle-class women of a certain age’.
Mr Wallace has stepped back from presenting the popular cookery show after an investigation was started looking into claims that he made sexual comments towards contestants and production staff on a number of different programmes over a 17-year-period.
But the 60-year-old presenter has now attempted to hit back at those who have levelled the allegations against him. In a video posted to Instagram this morning, he said he has worked with more than 4,000 Masterchef constestants over the years, who were ‘all of different ages, backgrounds and walks of life.’
READ MORE: BBC Gregg Wallace quits MasterChef amid misconduct claimsREAD MORE: BBC Masterchef Gregg Wallace accused by 13 different people
He added: “Apparently now, I’m reading in the paper, there’s been 13 complaints in that time. 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.”
In a second video he added: “In 20 years, over 20 years of television, can you imagine how many women, female contestants on MasterChef, have made sexual remarks, or sexual innuendo, can you imagine?”
The allegations about Mr Wallace’s behaviour have been widely reported. Former Newsnight host Kirst Walk is amongst those to have reported incidents. Ms Wark claimed she witnessed the presenter use ‘sexualised language in front of a number of people.’ Music legend Rod Stewart also hit out at Mr Wallace in a social media post, claiming he had humiliated his wife Penny Lancaster when she was on the celebrity version of Masterchef.
The videos come after lawyers representing the tv host told BBC News that “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.” The production company that makes Masterchef, Banijay UK is investigating the allegations, with legal firm Lewis Silkin appointed to lead the probe.
Mr Wallace, who has co-hosted Masterchef alongside John Torode since 2005, has already been dropped as an ambassador for the charity Ambitious About Autism after the claims surfaced. He has three children and his five-year-old son is autistic.
An earlier statement from Banijay UK 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 under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating 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 continued: “If anyone would like to talk to us or raise any issues or concerns, then they can contact speakupbanijayuk.com in confidence.”
A BBC spokesperson commented: “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.
“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.”